Quick answer. Use despite or in spite of before a noun phrase, an -ing form, or the fact that + clause. Do not write despite of. Compare: Despite the rain, we left; Despite being tired, she worked; In spite of the fact that it was late, they stayed.
- choose the correct structure after despite/in spite of;
- transform an although-clause without changing the meaning;
- avoid literal Russian patterns;
- check every answer in a reveal block.
Despite and in spite of: form table
| Pattern | Example | Russian clue |
|---|---|---|
| despite + noun | Despite the rain, we went out. | несмотря на дождь |
| in spite of + noun | In spite of the delay, we arrived on time. | несмотря на задержку |
| despite + -ing | Despite feeling ill, he came to work. | несмотря на то, что он плохо себя чувствовал |
| in spite of the fact that + clause | In spite of the fact that it was expensive, I bought it. | несмотря на то, что… |
Despite and in spite of have the same meaning. In spite of is three words and always includes of; despite never takes of. The important choice is not between the two expressions, but between a noun phrase, an -ing form, and the fact that + clause.
Типичная ошибка русскоязычных учеников
После руского «несмотря на то, что» хочется сразу поставить полное предложение: despite he was tired. Нужно либо сжать мысль до despite being tired, либо добавить the fact that: despite the fact that he was tired. Если нужна короткая форма с полным придаточным, используйте although/though.
Exercise 1: choose the structure
- ___ the cold weather, the children played outside.
- ___ feeling nervous, Maya gave a clear presentation.
- In spite of ___ fact that the road was closed, we found another route.
- He finished the race ___ an injured ankle.
- ___ not knowing the answer, I tried to explain my idea.
- We enjoyed the picnic in spite ___ the wind.
Answers to Exercise 1
- Despite / In spite of
- Despite / In spite of
- the
- despite / in spite of
- Despite / In spite of
- of
Items 1 and 4 take noun phrases; items 2 and 5 take -ing; item 3 uses the fact that; item 6 checks the fixed expression in spite of.
Exercise 2: transform although into despite
- Although it was raining, we walked home. → Despite ___.
- Although she was inexperienced, she solved the problem. → In spite of ___.
- Although the room was small, it felt comfortable. → Despite ___.
- Although he did not sleep much, he felt energetic. → Despite ___.
- Although the tickets were expensive, they sold quickly. → In spite of ___.
Model answers
- Despite the rain / Despite the fact that it was raining, we walked home.
- In spite of her inexperience / In spite of the fact that she was inexperienced, she solved the problem.
- Despite its small size / Despite the fact that the room was small, it felt comfortable.
- Despite not sleeping much / Despite the fact that he did not sleep much, he felt energetic.
- In spite of the high price / In spite of the fact that the tickets were expensive, they sold quickly.
More than one transformation can be correct. The meaning must stay the same, and the words after despite/in spite of must match one of the three patterns in the table.
Exercise 3: correct the mistake
- Despite of the traffic, we arrived early.
- In spite he was tired, he continued.
- Despite she studied hard, she failed the test.
- In spite of to be late, they stopped for coffee.
- Despite of being expensive, the hotel was full.
Corrections
- Despite the traffic / In spite of the traffic, we arrived early.
- In spite of being tired / In spite of the fact that he was tired, he continued.
- Despite studying hard / Despite the fact that she studied hard, she failed the test.
- In spite of being late / In spite of the fact that they were late, they stopped for coffee.
- Despite being expensive / In spite of being expensive, the hotel was full.
Exercise 4: translate into English
- Несмотря на шум, я мог сосредоточиться.
- Несмотря на то, что она устала, она закончила работу.
- Несмотря на отсутствие опыта, его приняли в команду.
Model translation
- Despite the noise, I could concentrate.
- Despite being tired / Despite the fact that she was tired, she finished the work.
- In spite of his lack of experience, he was accepted into the team.
Self-check
You are ready to move on if you can explain why despite he was tired is wrong, produce both a noun version and an -ing version, and transform one sentence with although without changing its meaning.
One-minute contrast check
Although + subject + verb: Although it rained, we left. Despite + noun/-ing: Despite the rain / Despite it raining, we left. Use the fact that only when you deliberately keep the full clause after despite/in spite of.
Related practice
Continue with although and though exercises, in order to and so that, however and therefore, conjunctions exercises, prepositions exercises, mixed tenses, relative clauses and conditionals exercises.
