Difference between In Spite and Despite: Meaning, Usage and Examples

If you have ever been confused about when to use ‘in spite’ and ‘despite’, you are not alone. Whether you are a student writing an essay, preparing for a competitive exam, or simply trying to improve your English grammar, understanding the difference between ‘inspite’ and ‘despite’ is an important skill.

In this article, you will learn the difference between ‘in spite’ and ‘despite’, meaning of both terms, explains their grammatical usage, and sentence examples.

Table of Contents

• What is the Difference Between In Spite and Despite?
• Meaning of In Spite and Despite
• How to Use In Spite and Despite in Sentences
• Difference Between Despite, In Spite Of, and Although
• Examples of In Spite and Despite

What is the Difference Between In Spite and Despite?

The difference between between ‘in spite’ and ‘despite’ is not in the meaning it lies in their form. Both are prepositions that express contrast or contradiction they signal that something happened even though a certain condition or obstacle was present.

The key grammatical difference is in their structure. ‘Despite’ is a single word, while ‘in spite of’ is a three-word phrase. Because of this, ‘in spite’ must always be followed by the word ‘of’, whereas ‘despite’ does not require any additional preposition.

Meaning of In Spite and Despite

The words ‘in spite’ and ‘despite’  have the same meaning. Both ‘in spite’ and ‘despite’ mean:

• Regardless of

• Even though

• Notwithstanding

• Without being affected by

They are used to show that a result or situation is surprising, unexpected, or contrary to what one might expect given a particular condition.

Examples:

• Despite the heavy rain, the match continued.

• In spite of the heavy rain, the match continued.
  
  

How to Use In Spite and Despite in Sentences

Understanding the difference between ‘in spite’ and ‘despite’ in grammar becomes easier when you understand the usage of the words. 

Using 'Despite’

‘Despite’ is always followed directly by a noun, a pronoun, or a gerund. It is never followed by 'of'.

Structure: Despite + noun/pronoun/gerund

Examples: 

• Despite the difficulties, he kept going.

• Despite failing the test, she did not give up.

Using 'In Spite'

‘In spite’ is always written as three words and must always include the word ‘of’. It is then followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund.

Structure: In spite of + noun/pronoun/gerund

Examples: 

• In spite of the difficulties, he kept going.

• In spite of failing the test, she did not give up.

Position of ‘ Despite’ and ‘In Spite’ in a Sentence

• At the beginning both ‘despite’ and ‘in spite’ followed by a comma.
  Examples: 

• Despite the odds, the underdog team won the championship.

• In spite of her fears, she delivered a brilliant speech.

• In the middle of a sentence no comma needed.
  Examples: 

• The team won the championship despite the odds.

• She delivered a brilliant speech in spite of her fears.
  
  

Difference Between Despite, In Spite Of, and Although

Studnets often get confused between ‘despite’, ‘in spite of’, and ‘although’. Here is the difference between them: 

Examples of In Spite and Despite

Examples of Despite

• Despite extensive research, scientists have not yet found a cure for the disease.

• Despite being tired, she stayed up to finish her homework.

• Despite losing three matches in a row, the team refused to give up.

• Despite facing financial difficulties, she never stopped pursuing her dreams.

• Despite studying all night, I found the exam challenging.

Examples of In Spite

• In spite of significant evidence, the theory remains controversial.

• In spite of the traffic, we managed to reach the airport on time.

• In spite of an injury, the athlete completed the marathon.

• In spite of what people said, he believed in himself.

• In spite of her teacher's advice, she chose a different approach to the problem.