in spite of which

USAGE SUMMARY

"in spite of which" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate contrast between two ideas or statements, for example: "He was not chosen for the job, in spite of which he still attended the interview."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

In spite of which it is still necessary to deal with the issue of timing.

The Guardian - Sport

In spite of which Corinthians are desperate to get rid of him.

The Guardian - Sport

In spite of which, this like all draws was a slightly tortuous spectacle.

The Guardian - Sport

In spite of which there remains something oddly vital about Terry's presence.

The Guardian - Sport

The new variable approximately follows Gaussian distribution, in spite of which distribution the original data follows.

Chemical Engineering Science

In spite of which, and with Sordell's plight in mind, there is more to football and Twitter than simply gossip.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

And this is in spite of doubts, which he talks about, quietly.

The Guardian

It had moments of real poetry almost in spite of itself, which wound up being very touching.

The New York Times

What Lies Beneath is a movie that works in spite of itself, which is more than you can say for most of Michelle Pfeiffer's recent films.

The Guardian - Film

Yet he pursues his destiny in spite of everything, which includes a sense of his own inadequacy to the task in hand, whatever it may turn out to be.

The Guardian - Books

This degrades feature matching performance due to non-repeatable locations in the second image in spite of vessels which are depicted in all modalities.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in spite of which" to clearly signal a contrast or unexpected outcome following a previous statement. It is most effective in formal writing where a degree of emphasis is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "in spite of which" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "but" or "even so" often sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "in spite of which" is to act as a conjunctive adverb or transitional phrase. It connects two clauses, indicating a contrast or concession between them. Ludwig examples showcase its role in introducing an unexpected outcome or a situation that exists despite a previous condition.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Science & Research

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in spite of which" is a formal transitional phrase used to introduce a contrasting statement or unexpected outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While grammatically sound and widely used, it's best reserved for formal writing contexts. As an alternative, simpler conjunctions like "but" or "however" can be preferred for informal communication. Common contexts include News & Media and scientific publications. Remember to use "in spite of which" to establish a clear contrast and avoid overuse in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despite that

A direct substitute focusing on the element being disregarded.

nevertheless

A more formal single-word alternative expressing concession.

nonetheless

Similar to "nevertheless" but can sometimes imply a slightly weaker contrast.

that being said

Introduces a contrasting or qualifying statement.

even so

A more conversational way to introduce a contrasting point.

regardless

Emphasizes that something happens without being affected by the previous statement.

however

A simple coordinating conjunction that indicates a contrast.

for all that

Similar to "with all that", it shows a contrast despite the prior information.

with all that

Indicates that despite everything that has been mentioned, something else is true.

be that as it may

A more archaic, formal expression of concession.

FAQs

How can I use "in spite of which" in a sentence?

Use "in spite of which" to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems unexpected given what was previously said. For example, "The weather was terrible, in spite of which the event was a success."

What are some alternatives to "in spite of which"?

You can use alternatives like "nevertheless", "nonetheless", "even so", or "despite that" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "in spite of which" formal or informal?

"In spite of which" is generally considered a formal phrase, best suited for academic, professional, or journalistic writing. Simpler conjunctions are preferred for informal settings.

What's the difference between "in spite of which" and "despite this"?

"In spite of which" and "despite this" are similar, but "in spite of which" connects clauses more directly, while "despite this" often refers back to a previously mentioned situation or fact. The former works as a stronger connector.