The rule, as people use it
"Despite" says something happened even though something else was in the way. "Despite the traffic, we arrived on time." You expected the traffic to make you late. It didn't.
Here's the part learners mix up: "despite" takes a noun or an -ing form after it. It can't take a full sentence. Despite the rain. Despite being tired. Despite his bad knee. If you want a full sentence, use "although" instead: "Although it was raining, we went out."
If you really need a sentence after "despite", add "the fact that": "Despite the fact that it was raining, we went out." It works, but it's long, so people use it more in writing than in conversation.
"Despite" can go at the start or in the middle. At the start, add a comma: "Despite the cold, the kids played outside." In the middle, no comma: "The kids played outside despite the cold." And never say "despite of". That "of" belongs to "in spite of", which means the same thing.
Examples
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Fill the gap
Type the missing words, then check. The full sentence plays when you get it.
- 1
Despite (the heat), we walked all the way to the museum.
- 2
She passed the exam despite (study) only a week.
- 3
(Despite) the noise, the baby slept all night.
- 4
We went ahead (despite) the bad forecast.
- 5
Despite (be) tired, he cooked dinner for everyone.
- 6
(Although) it was late, the shop was still open.
- 7
Despite (the fact) that he's rich, he drives an old car.
- 8
The flight left on time despite (the storm).
Practice · 3 min
Think of three times you did something even though it was hard. Write each one twice, once with "despite" and once with "although", then say both versions out loud.
- Despite ___ , I ___ .
- Although ___ , I ___ .
- Despite being ___ , I ___ .
- Although I was ___ , I ___ .
- Despite the ___ , my friend ___ .
- Although it was ___ , my friend ___ .
Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.