For students, mastering the spelling of English words can be a daunting task, particularly when it comes to specific words. This could be attributed to variations in spelling when compared to similar words in other languages, or irregularities in pronunciation. The phrase “despite of” is a frequent spelling mistake, and in this guide, we’ll give you an in-depth explanation of how to spell it correctly, along with some examples.
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The correct spelling of “despite of”
“Despite of” does not exist. The correct word to use is “despite” by itself. “Despite” is a preposition that is used to indicate contrast or opposition between two elements in a sentence. It indicates that something happened or is true even though there may be obstacles, difficulties, or opposing factors. Grammatically, “despite” is typically followed by a noun, gerund, or relative pronoun.
Correct spelling
despite
Incorrect spelling
despite of
The word “despite” originated from the Middle English word “despit,” which means “contempt” or “scorn”. It evolved from the Old French word “despit” as well as the Latin word “despectus,” which means “a look down upon” or “contempt”. Over time, “despite” developed into its modern usage as a preposition to express contrast or in spite of something. This word is important for showing different or unexpected results in English sentences. Especially when refuting an argument in academic writing.
The reason it is not “despite of” is because “despite” is a standalone preposition that does not require the addition of “of”, another preposition. It is a fixed expression in the English language. Using “despite of” would be grammatically incorrect.
Examples
- They decided to go for a walk in the park despite the heavy rain. (Noun)
- Despite studying, she did not perform as well as she had hoped in the exam. (Gerund)
- Despite the criticism that has been voiced, this movie is worth watching. (Relative pronoun)
FAQs
Yes, there is a difference between “despite” and “despite of.”
- “Despite” is a preposition indicating contrast or opposition between two elements in a sentence.
- “Despite of” is not a standard or correct phrase in English. It is grammatically incorrect.
“Despite” is the correct and standard word to use when indicating contrast or opposition between two elements in a sentence. “Despite of” is considered non-standard and grammatically incorrect. It is important to use “despite” by itself. So, “despite” is the correct word, and “despite of” should be avoided.
“Despite” indicates contrast or opposition between two elements or expresses that something happened or is true even though there may be obstacles, difficulties, or opposing factors. It is typically followed by a noun, gerund, or relative pronoun.
Example
- Despite the heavy rain, they decided to go for a walk in the park.
Yes, there is a difference between “despite” and “instead of.” These two phrases are used in different contexts and have distinct meanings:
- “Despite” is a preposition used to express contrast or opposition between two elements. It indicates that something happened or is true even though there may be obstacles, difficulties, or opposing factors.
- “Instead of” is a preposition used to show substitution or replacement. It suggests that one thing or action is chosen or done in place of another.
Both “despite” and “in spite of” can be used to express contrast or opposition in a sentence, and they are interchangeable. However, there are some nuances in usage:
- “Despite” is more commonly used in everyday language and is preferred for brevity and simplicity. It is a single word and often sounds more natural in casual conversation.
- “In spite of” is slightly more formal and may be used when a more formal or deliberate tone is desired. It consists of two words and can be a bit more emphatic.