In spite of 和 despite 為同義介系詞,意為「儘管;雖然」,是在表示兩個事物之間的對比。它們通常用在寫作,比較少用於口說,而 despite 比 in spite of 略微正式一些,但常用許多。必須注意的是,in spite of 是三個字且一定要有 of,而 despite 後面不可有 of。例如:
- We went swimming in spite of rain. (儘管下雨,我們還是去游泳了) (正)
We went swimming in spite rain. (誤)
We went swimming inspite of rain. (誤) - Despite all his efforts Robert failed. (雖然羅伯特盡了一切努力,還是失敗了) (正)
Despite of all his efforts Robert failed. (誤)