In spite of and despite

In spite of and despite are prepositional expressions.

In spite of and despite have a SIMILAR meaning TO although or even though. They express a
contrast between two things. They are both more common in writing than in speaking.
Despite is a little more formal than in spite of.

Note that it is common to use in spite of and despite with the expression the fact that,
followed by a subject and verb. We don’t use a that-clause after in spite of or despite. We use
in spite of the fact that or despite the fact that: Not: … in spite of that it was only the end of
April

When they arrived at Malaga it was hot, in spite of the fact that it was only the end of April.

-We usually use in spite of and despite with a noun:

He got the job in spite of his prison record.

John’s company is doing extremely well despite the recession.

They forgave each other, despite what was said.

-We can also use in spite of and despite with -ing:

He was very fast in spite of being terribly overweight.

They arrived late despite leaving in plenty of time.

He suddenly felt hot, in spite of the freezing weather.

-In spite of oneself and despite oneself are idioms that mean “although one did not want or
expect to do so.”

“Luna cried in spite of herself,” means Luna cried even though she didn’t want to.

Typical errors:

Despite he was hungry, John did not eat. (Incorrect)

Despite his hunger, John did not eat. (Correct = ‘hunger’ is a noun)

Despite he had no time, he stopped to help. (Incorrect) because ‘he had’ begins is a clause.

Despite having no time, he stopped to help.

Despite I was sick, I took the test. (Incorrect)

Despite the fact that I was sick, I took the test. (Correct)

In spite of she didn’t like me, she gave me a present. (Incorrect)

In spite of the fact that she didn’t like me, she gave me a present. (Correct)

-In spite of is written as three separate words. We never use of with despite:

They enjoyed the rides in spite of the long queues. (or … despite the long queues.)

-Never put “of” after despite. It’s either despite or in spite of, not despite of.
-Not: … inspite the long queues or … despite of the long queues.