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

Before you start reading this article, ask yourself how will the English be "in spite of". 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 devoted to this article.

Remember the simple advice: when it is necessary to say "in spite of", 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 the use of these prepositions.

Usage rules and examples

The basic rule is that after in spite of or despite you can not use a full sentence (We have slept). And what should I say?

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

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

It is important to remember that a full sentence (in which the predicate and subject is present) can not go after these prepositions.

It can not be said: She is not rich, she never spends much money.

You should use the following option: Despite being rich, she never spends much money. Despite the fact that she was rich, she never spent much money . This is the correct form of using these prepositions.

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

Let's try to translate the sentence:

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

Despite, in spite of - the difference in meaning is, in fact, 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 was ill, but despite this, he went to the store (use with a pronoun).

I was not taken to this job despite the fact that I had all the necessary documents on higher education (use with gerund).

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

The first is used in official and clerical communication, and the second is more often used in colloquial speech. The difference between despite and in spite of, first, in the presence of a preposition is a part of 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 despite, in spite of the difference, in fact, is only in grammar writing and shades of use. It is also possible to use such phrases with that: in spite of the fact (that), and also despite the fact (that).

Conclusion

So, let's summarize the study of this grammatical theme.

1. Between despite, in spite of the difference in the presence of a particle of - 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 pronoun (including a pointer).
3. Also, you can not insert a full sentence after the preposition. But it is possible to use such a bundle as the fact that, and further it is possible to use the full design. Thus, if we try to understand this topic, it turns out that there is nothing complicated.