in spite of the obstacles

USAGE SUMMARY

"in spite of the obstacles" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to specify that despite various difficulties, something was still accomplished. For example, "Despite the challenging course, they finished the race in record time, in spite of the obstacles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Zab Judah's boxing friends kept telling him to be patient, that one day his time would come in spite of the obstacles that had come his way.

The New York Times - Sports

In spite of the obstacles, musicians say they have to keep playing because they love the music and they want to keep the blues alive.

The New York Times

We are determined to move forward in spite of the obstacles, recognising that each country must move forward at its own pace.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet the International Monetary Fund's projected growth of 7percentt in the West Bank for 2009 is largely the result of Palestinian reforms undertaken in spite of the obstacles Israel continues to place in the way of Palestinian development.

The New York Times

In spite of the obstacles, however, an intense flirtation developed, with Ibsen revelling in the admiration of a young, impressionable girl, and she in the attentions of a famous man.

The Guardian

The fact that things are happening in spite of the obstacles is, as ever, often down to inspirational leadership from people who can see how local collaboration is the only route to providing decent services and support to all citizens, not least the most disadvantaged.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

In spite of these obstacles, the programme appears to be working – and its potential for expansion, not just beyond Uganda's borders, but also into other areas, such as healthcare and education, is becoming clear.

The Guardian - Tech

In the end, I graduated in 2015 with a first, very much in spite of the extra obstacles I had experienced.

The Guardian

In spite of the daunting obstacles faced by cancer researchers, the time scales that stretch over decades, and the elusive nature of cancer itself, Liphardt maintains an unwavering optimism about the eventual victory of science over this disease.

University of California, Berkeley

"In the White House press corps circle, where too few black women have been given an opportunity to report, April has excelled and persevered in spite of the many obstacles she has confronted.

Huffington Post

In spite of the significant obstacles to achieving the potential of integrated personal health records, there are promising signs of progress.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in spite of the obstacles" to emphasize resilience and determination when highlighting achievements made despite significant challenges. This phrasing adds weight to the accomplishment.

Common error

While "in spite of" and "despite" are similar, avoid redundancy by using "despite" directly before the noun without "of". For example, use "despite the obstacles" instead of "despite of the obstacles", which is grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in spite of the obstacles" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating that an action or event occurred despite the presence of difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in spite of the obstacles" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that effectively conveys the idea of achieving something despite facing difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and versatile, fitting well in news, scientific, and business contexts. While alternatives exist to adjust the level of formality, this phrase provides a clear and impactful way to highlight resilience and determination in various situations. The phrase is found in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despite the impediments

Replaces "obstacles" with "impediments", slightly altering the tone and formality.

notwithstanding the difficulties

Employs more formal vocabulary ("notwithstanding" and "difficulties") to convey the same meaning.

regardless of the challenges

Substitutes "in spite of" with "regardless of", maintaining a similar level of formality.

even with the setbacks

Replaces "obstacles" with "setbacks", focusing on temporary hindrances.

in the face of adversity

Uses a more evocative and general term ("adversity") to describe the hindering circumstances.

against all odds

A more idiomatic expression that emphasizes the improbability of success.

undeterred by the problems

Highlights the lack of discouragement despite the presence of issues.

though faced with hurdles

Uses "though" to introduce the challenging circumstances as a contrast to the main action.

even if there were difficulties

Expresses a conditional scenario where difficulties exist but do not prevent progress.

the problems notwithstanding

Positions the problems as something to be considered but not a barrier to progress, using a postpositive construction.

FAQs

What does "in spite of the obstacles" mean?

The phrase "in spite of the obstacles" means that something is achieved or happens even though there are difficulties or challenges that could have prevented it. It emphasizes overcoming adversity.

How can I use "in spite of the obstacles" in a sentence?

You can use "in spite of the obstacles" to highlight achievements made despite difficulties. For example, "The project was completed on time, "in spite of the obstacles" we faced."

What are some alternatives to "in spite of the obstacles"?

Alternatives include phrases like "despite the challenges", "regardless of the difficulties", or "notwithstanding the problems".

Is "in spite of the obstacles" formal or informal?

The phrase "in spite of the obstacles" is considered relatively neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "notwithstanding the difficulties" may be preferred in highly formal settings.