Despite, in spite of: difference in the use of prepositions

Before you start reading this article, ask yourself how it will be in English “despite”. You were not mistaken if you answered despite, in spite of. The difference between them is quite subtle and at the same time significant. Those who find it difficult to answer this question are dedicated to this article.

Remember the simple advice: when you need to say “despite”, in Russian, we use two words, and in English - either one or three. Thus, despite - two words in Russian.

BUT: one word or a stable bunch of three in English. Consider the basic rules for using these prepositions.

Terms of use and examples

The basic rule is that after in spite of or despite you should not use a full sentence (We have slept). But what should be said?

1. Noun. For example: I went for shopping in spite of / despite the snow. I went shopping despite the snow (the snow is a noun).
2. The so-called "ingov" form (in other words - gerund). For example: We came very rapidly in spite of stopping by police. - We arrived very quickly despite the fact that the police stopped us. (stopping- gerund).
3. Expression of the fact that ... For example: Sam passed the hard exam in spite of / despite the fact that he was very irresponsible. - Sam passed the hard exam despite being irresponsible. These are the most important rules for using these prepositions.

These two prepositions express any surprise or surprise, unlike although.

It is important to remember that a full-fledged sentence (in which the predicate and the subject are present) cannot go after these prepositions.

This is not to say: Despite she is rich, she never spends much money.

The following option should be used: Despite being rich, she never spends much money. Although she was rich, she never spent a lot of money . This is the correct form of using these prepositions.

Note: The word despite may also be a noun, and is translated into Russian as "anger" or "anger." There are many stable expressions with this word in English.

Let's try to translate the sentence:

1. Sam is thirsty in spite of / despite five glasses of Coca-Cola that he has drunk. Sam was thirsty despite five drunk glasses of Coca-Cola.
2. Sam is thirsty in spite of / despite drinking five glasses of Coca-Cola.
3. Sam is thirsty in spite of / despite the fact (that) he's drunk five glasses of Coca-Cola.

Despite, in spite of - the difference in value is essentially absent.

In spite of the hard wind, I enjoyed my vacations. - Despite the strong wind, I enjoyed my vacation (use with a noun).

He was not well, but despite this he went to the shop. - He felt bad, but despite this he went to the store (use with a pronoun).

I have not got the job in spite of possessing all the necessary higher educational documents - I was not hired for this job despite the fact that I had all the necessary documents about higher education (use with gerund).

Prepositions despite, in spite of: what is the difference in use

The first is used in the official and clerical form of communication, and the second is more often used in colloquial speech. The difference between despite and in spite of, firstly, in the presence of the preposition is the particles of in the preposition in spite of.

1. In spite of the cold weather, you were happy.

2. Despite the cold weather, you were happy. Despite the cold weather, you were happy. Between, in spite of, the difference, in fact, lies only in grammatical spelling and nuances of use. It is also possible to use such phrases with that: in spite of the fact (that), as well as despite the fact (that).

Conclusion

So, to summarize the study of this grammatical topic.

1. Between, in spite of, the difference in the presence of a particle of is the most important moment for the correct use of these prepositions.
2. After these prepositions, it is necessary to use such parts of speech as a noun, gerund or a pronoun (including an indicative).
3. Also, you cannot insert a full sentence after the preposition. But it is possible to use a bunch like the fact that, and then it is possible to use the full construction. Thus, if you try to understand this topic, it turns out that there is nothing complicated.