ESL Writing: Transitions and Connectors (Despite / In spite of)

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Despite / In spite of

Despite is similar to “although”, but you only write a noun or phrase after despite:

Sentence Pattern:
Despite [noun/phrase], [sentence]
In spite of [noun/phrase], [sentence]

• • Despite her strong accent, I understood everything that she said.
  • In spite of the rain, we enjoyed camping very much.
  • Despite his good grades, John didn’t get into the best university.
  • In spite of her illness, Jane has a positive attitude.

You can also put “despite/in spite of” at the end of the sentences:

• • I understood everything that Jane said despite her strong accent.

• • We enjoyed camping very much in spite of the rain.

• • John didn’t get into the best university despite his good grades

• • Jane has a positive attitude in spite of her illness.

Remember: After “despite/in spite of”, you should only write a noun or a phrase, and not a complete sentence. (You can write a complete sentence after “although/even though”, but not after “despite/in spite of”)

• • Wrong: Despite it was raining, we went to the beach.

• • Right: Despite the rain, we went to the beach.

• • Right: Although it was raining, we went to the beach.

• • Wrong: Despite he was a good student, John didn’t get into the best university.

• • Right: Despite being* a good student, John didn’t get into the best university.

• • Right: Although he was a good student, John didn’t get into the best university.

*If you have a verb after “despite”, you need to add “-ing”

• • · Despite having a cold, Bill went to work. (OR: Despite his cold, Bill went to work.)
  • · Despite being tired, Bill went to work.