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Despite / in spite of + noun + The economy has gone into
contrasting clause recession, but our company is
For example: surviving.
Despite the sunshine, the snow has In spite of the fact that the
not yet melted. economy has gone into recession,
In spite of the sunshine, the snow our company is surviving.
has not yet melted. Our company is surviving in spite of
(Despite i<and n spite the fact that the economy has gone
of </and have the same meaning) into recession.
However, you can add a clause • ‘He loves doing it and considers
to despite or in spite of by it an honor in spite of not having
adding the fact that and then a much free time.’
clause. • ‘For Stella, it is arguable that
Despite / in spite of + the fact success has come in spite of,
that + clause + contrasting clause. rather than because of, her
For example: father.’
Despite the fact that the sun has • ‘Today we have more elderly
been shining all day, the snow has women than men in spite of the
not yet melted. low nutrition the former
This allows you to be more flexible receive.’
with your sentences, but also • ‘This has happened in spite of
makes your English sound more most banks suffering from a
articulate and fluent. drop in operating margins.’
Here are more examples: • ‘Brave Jack managed to get hold
It was raining, but the football team of her arms and, in spite of once
continued their training session. losing his grip, pull her to safety.’
Despite the fact that it was raining, • ‘I'm still tired in spite of my rest
the football team continued their day and early night, although my
training session. sleep was disturbed.’
The football team continued their • ‘I began to feel a little better, in
training session despite the fact spite of everything, and my
that it was raining. headache started to fade.’
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• ‘They know me and my faults Thornton ward, in spite of
and love me either in spite of or opposition to the plans.’
because of them.’ • ‘It was totally sold out, packed to
• ‘It helps me to do that too, to the gills in spite of the cold and
keep on my own journey, in rainy weather.’
spite of everything that happens • ‘They both did every time they
in a life.’ woke up next to each other,
• ‘He was, in spite of all his genius aware of what they had done in
and accomplishment, a troubled spite of how drunk they had
man seeking his own truth.’ been.’
• ‘Byrne says he was not unfit • ‘The deputy chief added that in
when he came home, in spite of spite of the recent snowfall, the
what was felt amongst the ground is very dry.’
public.’ • ‘So Melchizedek is very
• ‘Sandy Lane is also likely to be important in spite of the fact
included in an amended that he is mentioned only twice
in the Old Testament.’
• ‘Anyhow, it was a good day, in spite of the cold, which is turning bitter
and nasty.’
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Activity: How to express contrast (but, although, in spite
of)
1. ……………… he’s black, he’s not from Africa
a. But b. In spite of c. Although
2. I got there on time ………………… the traffic
a. in spite of b. but c. Although
3. I'll accept it …………………… I know it's not very good
a. even though b. in spite of
4. ……………….. the rain, we went walking
a. in spite of b. but c. Although
5. Yes, it's beautiful, ………………… I don't like it.
a. in spite of b. but
6. I think it's true, ………………….. I can't prove it
a. even though b. in spite of
7. ……………………….. it was raining, we went walking
a. in spite of b. but c. though
8. I'll marry you ……………… your father
a. in spite of b. but c. although
9. I can hear a bird, ………………….. I can't see it
a. in spite of b. though
10. He was elected president …………………. his young age
a. in spite of b. but c. Although
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