In spite of meaning in English
Learn how to use In spite of correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
in spite of: despite, regardless of, even with, undeterred by
In spite of his ugliness, he still has plenty of girlfriends.
(= Despite his ugliness....)
(= Despite his ugliness....)
Examples
- "In spite of my blinding rage and abiding contempt for you, my yoga guru has advised me that expressing myself to you via a letter may prove therapeutic, which is why I am penning the present missive from my retreat, high atop the Himalayan peaks."
- "In spite of my blinding rage, my lifestyle guru has advised me that expressing myself to you via a letter may prove therapeutic, which is why I am penning the present missive from my retreat, high atop the Himalayan peaks."
Exercise 1
she prefers whale songs, Luna consented to go to the opera.
Although she prefers whale songs, Luna consented to go to the opera.
Although: 'Although' is the correct choice here. The term introduces contrast between Luna's preference and her decision to attend the concert. Example: Although I hate rock music, I decided to attend the Nirvana concert.
In spite of: 'In spite of' is an expression which introduces contrast, but it is grammatically incorrect here. 'In spite of' must be followed by a noun, not a pronoun or a verb. We could say: 'In spite of her preference for Beethoven, Luna went to the concert'.
Regardless: 'Regardless' is a term which introduces contrast, but it is grammatically incorrect here and doesn't fit into this construction. 'Regardless' must be followed by the preposition 'of' and then a noun, not a pronoun or a verb. We could say: 'Regardless of her preference...'.
Because: 'Because' is grammatically correct, but it does not make sense to use it here. The opera doesn't feature whale songs. 'A whale' is the world's largest mammal, and is a cousin to the dolphin. Famous whales include: Moby Dick, Willy (from the Free Willy films) and Shamu.
Exercise 2
It's time to construct some sentences! Below are the beginnings for three different business letters. Select the most appropriate expression to fill each blank.
" our recent interview, that . Congratulations and welcome to the team!"
" the current ban on air travel, that . Let's arrange a later date."
" our customer information project, that . We are doing our bit to help the environment."
" our recent interview, that . Congratulations and welcome to the team!"
" the current ban on air travel, that . Let's arrange a later date."
" our customer information project, that . We are doing our bit to help the environment."
It's time to construct some sentences! Below are the beginnings for three different business letters. Select the most appropriate expression to fill each blank.
"Following 1 our recent interview, I am pleased to tell you 2 that your application has been accepted 3. Congratulations and welcome to the team!"
"Given 4 the current ban on air travel, it is my unfortunate task to inform you 5 that I will not be able to attend our scheduled meeting 6. Let's arrange a later date."
"As part of 7 our customer information project, you may be interested to know 8 that our company is actively reducing our carbon footprint. 9. We are doing our bit to help the environment."
"Following 1 our recent interview, I am pleased to tell you 2 that your application has been accepted 3. Congratulations and welcome to the team!"
"Given 4 the current ban on air travel, it is my unfortunate task to inform you 5 that I will not be able to attend our scheduled meeting 6. Let's arrange a later date."
"As part of 7 our customer information project, you may be interested to know 8 that our company is actively reducing our carbon footprint. 9. We are doing our bit to help the environment."
1 Following: "Following" is the best choice here. This term is often used to begin formal letters, and generally refers to a past event such as a meeting or interview. Example: "Following changes to your bank account, you will now be able to withdraw cash when travelling abroad".
1 As part of: The expression "as part of" does not make sense in this context.
2 I am pleased to tell you: "I am pleased to tell you" makes the most sense here. We use this expression when we have some pleasant or happy news to give to our correspondent. Example: "I am pleased to tell you that your offer of £1.5m for the house has been accepted".
2 it is my unfortunate task to inform you: This construction does not make sense here, since the following sentence is congratulatory, and this expression is only used to announce bad news.
3 your application has been accepted: This is the best choice here. Because the writer goes on to "congratulate" the other correspondent, we can deduce that the application has been accepted and successful. The recipient of this letter is being offered a job.
3 your profile does not match what we are looking for: This does not make sense here, since the writer goes on to congratulate the recipient. Their application has not been rejected.
4 Given: "Given" is the best choice here. This term shares a similar meaning with "due to" or "considering" and is used to introduce a cause and effect construction. Example: "Given that she is 8 months pregnant, Julie will not be able to attend the football match".
4 In reply to: It does not make sense to use this construction here: we cannot "reply to a situation" in this context.
5 it is my unfortunate task to inform you: This is the best choice here. We use this construction as an introduction when we need to announce some bad news to our correspondent. Example: "It is my unfortunate task to inform you that your husband has been lost at sea".
5 I am pleased to inform you that: This expression is used to introduce positive or happy news, and does not make sense in this context.
6 I will not be able to attend our scheduled meeting: This is the best choice here, as the writer is explaining that they cannot be present at the arranged meeting. This expression is often used in a business context when one has to cancel or postpone a meeting.
6 your application has been successful: It does not make sense to use this construction here, since there is no application involved in this sentence.
7 As part of: This is the best choice here. The writer is explaining that it is the "customer information project" which is leading them to give out this information. Another example of this expression in use: "As part of ongoing reforms, it is now illegal to remove dogs" tails in Britain'.
7 In spite of: The term "in spite of" shares a similar meaning with "despite" or "notwithstanding". It is used to introduce contrast in a sentence, and does not make sense here.
8 you may be interested to know: This is the best choice here. This expression is used when giving someone information which they might find important or relevant. Example: "You may be interested to know that I'm going on holiday to Cornwall this summer".
8 it is none of your business: This statement is very informal and impolite and has no place in a business letter.
9 our company is actively reducing our carbon footprint.: This is the best choice to complete this sentence. The expression "carbon footprint" describes the damage done to the environment by a person or company. This can be calculated by looking at their transport habits, production methods, consumption levels, etc.
9 our carbon emissions have increased this year.: This is incorrect. This is no way of "helping the environment".
Exercise 3
"We have a racist in our midst."
Luna means that there is a racist
Luna means that there is a racist
"We have a racist in our midst."
Luna means that there is a racist
Luna means that there is a racist
This is incorrect. "In spite of" is an expression which introduces contrast and is synonymous with "despite" or "even though". Example: I still think you are handsome, in spite of your ginger beard.
This is not correct. "In our midst" is not synonymous with "in the toilets". The meeting between Brian and Luna took place in the toilet; the graffiti was discovered in the toilet; but there is nothing to suggest that the Delavigne racist spends all his time there.
This is not correct. "In our midst" does not share a similar meaning with "in one's opinion".
This is correct. When Luna writes that there is a racist "in our midst" she means that there is a racist "among" or "within" the Delavigne staff, or that one (or more) of the Delavigne staff is a racist. "Midst" is an old-fashioned form of "middle", still used in contemporary speech to add emphasis. Example: "I was in the midst of a terrible fight with my wife when my mistress phoned."
Exercise 4
"This success is a testament to... our business model".
This could be rephrased as this success is our business model.
This could be rephrased as this success is our business model.
"This success is a testament to... our business model".
This could be rephrased as this success is a reflection of our business model.
This could be rephrased as this success is a reflection of our business model.
a reflection of: This is the correct choice. To be a "testament to (something)" means "to be a reflection of" or "proof" of it. For example: This building is a testament to the architects and the workers who designed and built it. Bruno means that Delavigne Corp's financial success is a demonstration of the safe nature of its business model.
in spite of: This is incorrect. "In spite of" shares a similar meaning with "despite" or "regardless of". Bruno does not mean that Delavigne's financial success had nothing to do with its business model.
in addition to: This is incorrect. "In addition to" and "to be a testament to" do not share the same meaning. "In addition to" is synonymous with "as well as" or "plus".
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