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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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Despite the circumstances

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

'despite the circumstances' is a correct and usable phrase in written English
You can use it when referring to situations in which one thing happens even though something else is true or has happened. For example: Despite the circumstances, she was determined to reach her goals.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Despite the circumstances, he's not dogging it.

Despite the circumstances, we're in another semi-final".

Despite the circumstances, there were more than a hundred of us there.

Despite the circumstances, the telecast's organizers were hoping for a business-as-usual night anyway.

Despite the circumstances of their composition, most of the songs were spirited and upbeat.

News & Media

The Guardian

Despite the circumstances, he said Burton was adored and never vain.

News & Media

The Guardian

Despite the circumstances of Clemens's addition, baseball officials were relieved to have Clemens on the team.

Despite the circumstances, both women were able to access safe services.

News & Media

The Guardian

Somehow, despite the circumstances, she found the mental strength to keep her career ambitions alive.

The African Union on Thursday welcomed Mr. Cissoko's appointment despite the circumstances under which Mr. Diarra left office.

News & Media

The New York Times

But Ben is a very caring person, and there were a lot of things, despite the circumstances, that he could have done but never did..

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Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

When using "despite the circumstances", ensure that the contrast between the expected outcome and the actual situation is clear to the reader. This enhances the phrase's impact and meaning.

⚠ Common error

Avoid using "despite the circumstances" when the circumstances are irrelevant to the outcome. The phrase implies a direct conflict or unexpected result given the situation.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite the circumstances" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a concessive clause. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, as it sets up a contrast, indicating that something occurred or is true even when conditions might suggest otherwise.

Expression frequency: Very common

✓ Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

⚠ Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "despite the circumstances" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express contrast or concession, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its prevalence in news, academic, and scientific contexts underscores its utility across diverse registers. While alternatives like "in spite of the situation" exist, "despite the circumstances" remains a clear and effective choice. When employing this phrase, ensure a discernible contrast between the circumstances and the ultimate outcome for maximum impact. It's a very common expression, according to frequency analysis. Make sure that the context is relevant to the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "despite the circumstances" in a sentence?

You can use "despite the circumstances" to show contrast between a situation and an outcome. For example, "Despite the circumstances, the team managed to win the game".

What are some alternatives to "despite the circumstances"?

Some alternatives include "in spite of the situation", "even with the situation", or "regardless of the context". Each carries a slightly different nuance but conveys a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "in spite of the circumstances" instead of "despite the circumstances"?

Yes, "in spite of the circumstances" is a perfectly acceptable and synonymous alternative to "despite the circumstances".

What's the difference between "despite" and "in spite of" when referring to circumstances?

There is virtually no difference in meaning. Both "despite" and "in spite of" are used to express that something happens or is true even though something else might have prevented it.

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Authority and reliability

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: