is in spite of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is in spite of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something happens or is true regardless of a particular circumstance or obstacle. Example: "She succeeded in her career in spite of the challenges she faced along the way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It is in spite of the government".

The New York Times

This is in spite of some advantages.

The Guardian - Books

"It is, in spite of what happened last year.

The New York Times - Sports

They remind me of what is not concrete, what is in spite of what is.

The New York Times

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

The Guardian

And this is in spite of an average annual income in Vietnam of £338.

The Guardian

This is in spite of the fact that the Cornell academics helped design the project.

The Guardian

Even her frame of mind is, in spite of her cosmopolitan culture, Tuscan.

The New Yorker

This is in spite of an extensive campaign to bring in new recruits.

The New York Times

The true name of this protagonist is, in spite of intensive research, unknown.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This is in spite of the recent attacks in Paris, Beirut and the Sinai.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is in spite of" to highlight unexpected outcomes or achievements, making the statement more impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "is in spite of" when the outcome is a direct result of the mentioned factor. The phrase implies a contradiction or unexpected success despite an obstacle.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is in spite of" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a circumstance or condition that one might expect to prevent or hinder a particular outcome. Ludwig AI confirms that it highlights a contrast between expectation and reality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is in spite of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to highlight situations where an outcome occurs despite a potential hindrance. As Ludwig AI validates, it's grammatically sound and commonly used, appearing frequently in news, media, and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "despite" and "regardless of" exist, "is in spite of" offers a specific emphasis on the contrast between expectation and reality. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and focus on the unexpected or surprising nature of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occurs regardless of

Emphasizes the lack of influence from the opposing factor.

happens despite

A more concise alternative, placing emphasis on the obstructing factor.

remains despite

Highlights the continued existence regardless of obstacles.

exists irrespective of

Stresses complete detachment from influencing conditions.

endures even with

Highlights resilience in the presence of a negative influence.

prevails notwithstanding

A more formal and literary alternative, highlighting triumph over adversity.

persists through

Focuses on continuation despite ongoing challenges.

thrives against

Emphasizes active opposition and successful growth.

is unaffected by

Implies a lack of impact from an external force.

flourishes beyond

Suggests surpassing limitations imposed by certain conditions.

FAQs

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

Use "is in spite of" to show that something occurs or is true even though there might be something that hinders or prevents it. For example: "She succeeded in her career "is in spite of" the challenges she faced along the way."

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

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

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

"Is in spite of" is correct. "Despite" already includes the meaning of "in spite of", so "is despite of" is redundant and grammatically incorrect.

What is the difference between "is in spite of" and "is because of"?

"Is in spite of" indicates that something happens even though something else might prevent it. "Is because of" indicates that something happens as a direct result of something else. They have opposite meanings.