so despite

USAGE SUMMARY

"so despite" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to note a contrast or to bridge two sentences that contain contrasting ideas. Example: We've been having a rough week, so despite everything, I'm trying to stay positive.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Platform differences contribute to low accuracy of microarrays, so "despite" seems to be out of place.

Biology Direct

And it does so despite international pressure.

The New York Times

So, despite everything, he slept well.

The Economist

It did so despite softening revenues.

The New York Times

Barab did so despite being on crutches.

The Guardian

They did so despite being vastly outnumbered.

The Guardian

So, despite recent blunders, is Christiane Taubira at justice.

The Economist

So, despite many bitter words, Greece has a second rescue.

The Economist

So despite the bride's unusual request, give her a call.

The New York Times

They have done so despite a large number of injuries.

The New York Times - Sports

They will do so despite increasing personal commitments.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "so despite" to clearly signal a contrast between two ideas, ensuring the reader understands the unexpected relationship. For example: The weather was terrible, so despite the conditions, the event was a success.

Common error

Avoid using "so despite" when there isn't a genuine contrast or unexpected outcome between the clauses. Ensure that the second part of the sentence genuinely presents something that might not be expected given the first part. For example: Incorrect: The sun was shining, so despite the heat, we went to the beach. (No real contrast). Correct: The forecast predicted rain, so despite that, we went to the beach.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so despite" functions as a conjunction, connecting two clauses to indicate a contrast or an unexpected outcome. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. It introduces a situation that exists or occurred even though another factor might have suggested otherwise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "so despite" is a grammatically correct and commonly used conjunction to introduce a contrast or unexpected outcome. Ludwig AI validates its usability in written English. While suitable for both formal and informal contexts, more formal alternatives exist. It is most frequently found in News & Media sources, signaling its widespread applicability across different registers. Remember to use "so despite" when you want to emphasize that something is true or happened even though circumstances might suggest otherwise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet in spite of

Emphasizes a stronger contrast, highlighting the unexpected nature of the outcome given the circumstances.

however nevertheless

Focuses on the continuation of a situation or action despite an obstacle.

still notwithstanding

Highlights that something remains true or occurs even with something else that might prevent it.

even so regardless

Indicates that something is true or happens despite what has just been said.

and yet even though

Emphasizes the surprising or unexpected nature of the situation given the preceding information.

but even with

Directly contrasts two elements, showing that one exists or occurs despite the other.

though in defiance of

Highlights a more rebellious or resistant attitude towards the contrasting element.

in any case irrespective of

Presents a situation that proceeds no matter what the preceding circumstances.

all the same even against

Underscores that something happens despite opposition or unfavorable conditions.

then again despite this

Introduces an opposing factor after initially presenting a certain condition.

FAQs

How can I use "so despite" in a sentence?

Use "so despite" to connect two clauses where the second clause presents a situation that is unexpected or contrary to what might be expected from the first clause. For example: "The team was heavily favored, so despite that, they lost the game."

What phrases are similar to "so despite"?

Similar phrases include "yet in spite of", "however nevertheless", or "still notwithstanding". Each carries a similar sense of contrast or unexpected result.

Is "so despite" formal or informal?

"So despite" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, though more formal alternatives like "nevertheless" or "notwithstanding" might be preferred in highly formal contexts.

Can "so despite" be used at the beginning of a sentence?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "so despite" is less common. It is generally better to use it to connect two related clauses within a single sentence for better flow.