in spite of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in spite of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that happens despite obstacles that might prevent it. Example: In spite of his difficulties, he finished the marathon in record time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's more like "in spite of".

Huffington Post

In spite of everything.

The New Yorker

In spite of his policies.

The New York Times

In spite of Shicklgruber, friends,.

The New Yorker

It's in spite of their opposition.

The New York Times

I wondered, in spite of myself.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It is in spite of the government".

The New York Times

In spite of himself, Keller smiled.

The New Yorker

Lust languishes, in spite of Viagra.

The Economist

Yes, you are — in spite of everything.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I'm an in-spite-of-Hollywood director".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in spite of" to clearly signal a contrast or unexpected outcome, making sure the reader understands that something happened despite an obstacle.

Common error

Avoid using "in spite of" when there isn't a genuine obstacle or contrasting element. Ensure that the phrase introduces a situation that is surprising or unexpected given the circumstances.

How to use

Learn how to use "in spite of" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in spite of" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a clause of concession or contrast. It indicates that something occurs contrary to what might be expected given a particular circumstance. Ludwig examples confirm that this usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in spite of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to express contrast or concession. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. It’s important to use it when you want to highlight a surprising outcome given certain circumstances. Remember, it is very important to avoid using "in spite of" without a clear contrast; ensure that the phrase introduces a situation that is surprising or unexpected. Alternatives such as "despite", "notwithstanding", and "regardless of" can provide variety to your writing. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Academia, indicating its wide applicability. Always ensure that you are using it to show a result or situation that occurs despite an obstacle.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despite

A more concise and commonly used synonym.

despite the fact that

A more verbose alternative to "despite", typically followed by a clause.

notwithstanding

A more formal and literary alternative.

regardless of

Emphasizes a lack of consideration for something.

irrespective of

Similar to "regardless of", but emphasizes the lack of relevance.

even though

Introduces a clause of concession.

although

Similar to "even though" but slightly less emphatic.

in the face of

Highlights defiance or courage in confronting something.

with all that

More informal way to show contrast or concession.

for all that

Offers the same meaning as "with all that" with slightly greater formality.

FAQs

How to use "in spite of" in a sentence?

"In spite of" is used to introduce a fact that makes the main clause of the sentence surprising. For instance, "In spite of the rain, we enjoyed the picnic" means that the enjoyment of the picnic was unexpected given the rain.

What can I say instead of "in spite of"?

You can use alternatives like "despite", "notwithstanding", or "regardless of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "in spite of" or "despite of"?

"In spite of" is correct. "Despite" already implies "in spite of", so "despite of" is redundant and incorrect.

What's the difference between "in spite of" and "because of"?

"In spite of" indicates something happened contrary to what might be expected, while "because of" indicates a cause-and-effect relationship. For example, "In spite of the difficulty, he succeeded" versus "Because of his hard work, he succeeded".