In spite of vs Despite of
The difference between in spite of and despite of will be the focus of this article if there exists a difference between in spite of and despite of. In English language when you want to talk about someone or something beating the odds and emerging successful, you can make use of the words despite or in spite. Both are commonly used and it becomes a dilemma for those whose native language is not English to choose one of the two words. Either of the two words can be easily used in situations where you can use though or although and there is not much of a difference between in spite of and despite. This article will remove all doubts from the minds of the readers regarding the usage of these two words.
What does In Spite of mean? What does Despite of mean?
According to the Oxford English dictionary in spite of means “without being affected by the particular factor mentioned.” However, when it comes to the meaning of despite of the Oxford English dictionary simply gives the word in spite of. This shows that both words mean the same.
Both despite and in spite of refer to notwithstanding and the only error to safeguard against is not to use of with despite which is what many students do and repent when they get a low score in an exam. Here are a few examples of how to use in spite of and despite correctly.
Despite playing brilliantly, Japan lost the game to Mexico.
Despite having an umbrella, Isabella was drenched by the time she reached home.
Despite having taken a course in French language, Sammy found it hard to converse in French.
You can see that despite in all three sentences refers to though or although. In the first sentence, it can be said that Japan lost to Mexico although they played well. In the second sentence, Isabella was all wet because of the rain though she had an umbrella. In the last sentence, Sammy could not speak French well though he took a course in French language.
You can very well interchange despite with in spite of in all three sentences and in fact wherever you wish to use despite. Let us see how the same sentences appear when we have replaced despite with in spite of.
In spite of playing brilliantly, Japan lost the game to Mexico.
In spite of having an umbrella, Isabella was drenched by the time she reached home.
In spite of having taken a course in French language, Sammy found it hard to converse in French.
The word despite is tiny which is why people prefer to use it both while speaking and also when they are writing. Nevertheless, the only thing that the user has to avoid is not to use of with despite or writing in spite without of.
What is the difference between In Spite of and Despite of?
• There is no need to confuse between despite and in spite of when you are either speaking or writing as they are interchangeable.
• The only rule is to use of with in spite and not to use of with despite.
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