Difference between In Spite and Despite | In Spite vs Despite: Today we are going to discuss about Difference between In Spite vs Despite.
Difference between In Spite and Despite | In Spite vs Despite:
In English, “in spite of” and “despite” are two prepositions that are commonly used to express contrast or opposition between two ideas. While they are similar in meaning, there are some subtle differences between the two. In this article, we will explore the difference between “in spite of” and “despite” and provide examples to illustrate their usage.
Definition and Meaning of In Spite and Despite:
Before we dive into the differences between “in spite of” and “despite,” let’s first define these two words.
“In spite of” is a preposition that is used to express a contrast between two ideas or situations. It means that despite something happening, another event or situation still occurred. For example, I went in spite of the rain.
“Despite” is also a preposition that expresses a contrast between two ideas or situations. It is similar in meaning to “in spite of,” but it is a bit stronger in its opposition. It means that something happened or was done despite the presence of a particular obstacle or challenge. For example, you left despite refusing.
Usage of In Spite and Despite:
One key difference between “in spite of” and “despite” is their usage in sentences. “In spite of” is usually followed by a noun phrase, whereas “despite” is usually followed by a gerund (-ing form of a verb) or a noun phrase.
For example:
- In spite of the raining, we decided to go to the market. (noun phrase)
- Despite the raining, we decided to go to the market. (gerund)
- In spite of her fear of heights, she climbed to the top of the mountain. (noun phrase)
- Despite her fear of heights, she climbed to the top of the mountain. (noun phrase)
In the examples above, “in spite of” is followed by a noun phrase (bad weather, fear of heights), while “despite” is followed by a gerund (going) or a noun phrase (bad weather, fear of heights).
Emphasis:
Another difference between “in spite of” and “despite” is the level of emphasis on the contrast or opposition being expressed. “Despite” is usually used when the opposition is significant or strong, whereas “in spite of” is used for less significant or weaker opposition.
For example:
- Despite having very little money, he managed to travel the world.
- In spite of having very little money, he managed to travel the world.
In the above example, “despite” is used because the opposition (having very little money) is significant and strong. On the other hand, “in spite of” is used to express a weaker opposition.
Difference between In Spite vs Despite in table:
| Aspect | “In spite of” | “Despite” |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Expresses a contrast between two ideas or situations. | Expresses a stronger contrast or opposition between two ideas or situations. |
| Followed by | Noun phrase | Gerund or noun phrase |
| Level of emphasis | Weaker opposition | Stronger opposition |
Conclusion:
In conclusion, “in spite of” and “despite” are two prepositions that are commonly used to express a contrast or opposition between two ideas or situations. While they are similar in meaning, there are some subtle differences in their usage and emphasis. “In spite of” is usually followed by a noun phrase, and it is used for weaker opposition. “Despite” is usually followed by a gerund or noun phrase, and it is used for significant or strong opposition.
