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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
Despite the circumstances
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE 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
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
Despite the circumstances, he's not dogging it.
News & Media
Despite the circumstances, we're in another semi-final".
News & Media
Despite the circumstances, there were more than a hundred of us there.
Academia
Despite the circumstances, the telecast's organizers were hoping for a business-as-usual night anyway.
News & Media
Despite the circumstances of their composition, most of the songs were spirited and upbeat.
News & Media
Despite the circumstances, he said Burton was adored and never vain.
News & Media
Despite the circumstances of Clemens's addition, baseball officials were relieved to have Clemens on the team.
News & Media
Despite the circumstances, both women were able to access safe services.
News & Media
Somehow, despite the circumstances, she found the mental strength to keep her career ambitions alive.
News & Media
The African Union on Thursday welcomed Mr. Cissoko's appointment despite the circumstances under which Mr. Diarra left office.
News & Media
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..
News & Media
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.
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.
Alternative expressions
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
in spite of the situation
Employs "in spite of" which is directly synonymous with "despite".
even with the situation
Replaces "circumstances" with "situation", offering a slightly less formal tone.
notwithstanding the conditions
Uses a more formal and legalistic term "notwithstanding" in place of "despite".
regardless of the context
Focuses on the irrelevance of the surrounding context, rather than the circumstances themselves.
even given the state of affairs
Emphasizes the current condition or situation.
irrespective of the events
Highlights that the outcome is not affected by specific occurrences.
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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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested