Use the word despite of in a sentence

Most people find it challenging to use the term «despite» in their sentences. This is because it can be confusing when it comes to putting a verb or noun in front of it. There are two patterns when it comes to the use of «despite.»

The term «despite» implies that something happened instead of the other thing that might have stopped it from happening. It can be used to express defiance and the ability to ignore the apparent odds. In other words, the thing that happened is either surprising or unexpected. 

The word «despite» can also express contempt, meaning, the feeling or the attitude of despising something or someone.

You can say or write despite doing something, for example:

• He won the game despite the swollen right hand.

You can say or write despite an inevitable fact, like the example:

• He won the game despite the fact that his right hand was swollen.

It would also be best if you do not write or say the following.

• He won the game despite the right hand being swollen.

Also, don’t confuse in spite of with despite. Therefore, you should not write or say despite of.

If you are among those who find it difficult to use «despite,» you’re on the right track. This article will address various issues regarding the use of «despite.» The profound insights will enable you to understand the common mistakes either you or people make in their sentences. All that you are required to do is read the post to the end.

«Despite» Definition

As said above, the term means something that happened instead of the obvious. Hence it happened without being undeterred with known circumstances.  It can be used to express the conquering aspect or the defeated feeling.

The conquering aspect implies the hurdles one or something has overcome. On the other end, the defeated feeling means trying your best for something to succeed, but all goes in vain. Therefore you should not confine yourself to the positive aspect when using «despite» in your sentences. «Despite» can also be used to express negativity. You can also use «despite» to express contempt.

Synonyms Of «Despite»

Like every other English word, «despite» has some synonyms. But it would be best if you be careful since not every synonym has the same meaning as «despite.» The following are some of the synonyms:

•   Undeterred by
•   Notwithstanding
•   In defiance of
•   Without being affected by
•   In the face of
•   Regardless of
•   Even with
•   For all

After knowing the basics of the term, the definition, and synonyms, it’s time to put theories into practice. You need to work on your sentences.

Before anything, it should be noted that both «despite» and in spite of are referred to as contrast words.  And in most cases, they mean the same thing. Below is some of the common mistake that is made by most people in their sentences:

• Despite being annoyed, Sam did not fight. (The sentence is incorrect)

But why is it grammatically incorrect? It should be noted that the term «despite» is a preposition but not a subordinating conjunction. Meaning after the term, the user should put nouns; hence he or she should not place clauses that have subjects and verbs such as «he was annoyed, Sam did not fight.»

In Spite Of Vs. Despite

In the English language corridors, in spite of and «despite» are common. Many people ask themselves whether there’s a difference between the two. The answer is straightforward; the two terms are identical when it comes to the application framework. They mean «even though,» «regardless of,» or «notwithstanding.»  Ensure their usage is compatible with the underlying meaning.

Where Can «Despite» Or «In Spite Of» Come In A Sentence

Both «in spite of» and «despite» are referred to as contrast showing prepositions. They can be used at the start of a sentence or in the sentence. What the user is required is an extra clause to exhibit the flip side. This implies that «despite» or in spite of are dependent clauses, they need independent clauses to be complete.  For instance:

• Despite his fear, he wrapped his hands around her.

Despite his fear- dependent clause. He wrapped his hands around her- independent clause.

• My vacation was incredible, despite the sunny weather.

My vacation was incredible- independent clause. Despite the sunny weather- dependent clause.

In spite of can be replaced by «despite,» what is vital in this situation is the independent clause. This is the clause that stands alone in the sentence. It provides balance to the dependent clause. Therefore in your application, ensure that the sentence has both the independent and dependent clauses.

What Comes After «Despite» Or «In Spite Of?»

Not every sentence that needs these prepositions; some can be independent without them. In most cases, there are three options when it comes to these phrases.

1.   Noun

• Despite his temper, Sam did not fight.

The sentence is correct since «temper» is a noun. But if you want to use subjects such as he or she or verbs like was, then subordinating conjunctions such as though, although, while, and even though should be used.

For example:

• Although he was annoyed, Sam did not fight.
• Even though she had a swollen muscle, she continued with the game.
• Though the party did not have drinks, the guests enjoyed it.

«Despite» can also be used to express the above sentences. But this is applicable only on nouns. See the examples below:

• Despite his temper, Sam did not fight.
• Despite her swollen muscle, she continued the game.
• Despite the lack of drinks, the party was victorious.

1.   Gerund

Here you are supposed to change verbs such as run into nouns by adding form –ing, hence, running. The form –ing, which is used to change verbs to nouns, is known as a gerund. When it comes to «despite,» gerunds are supposed to come after the preposition.  For instance:

• Despite he had no money, he contributed some bucks.

The sentence is incorrect since he had is a begin clause.

• Despite having no money, he contributed some bucks.

The sentence is correct because «having no money» is a gerund phrase. «He» has been removed hence making it not to be a clause. Because a gerund is treated as a noun, the sentence falls under the category of despite + noun structure.

Other gerund examples include:

• Despite we arrived early, we found cold food (incorrect sentence)
• Despite arriving early, we found cold food (correct sentence)
• Despite he was angry, he did not fight (incorrect sentence)
• Despite being angry, he did not fight (correct sentence)
• Despite her run to the roof edge, she did not help the situation (incorrect sentence)
• Despite her running to the roof edge, she did not help the situation (correct sentence)

1.   The fact + the clause

In the English language, the clause has two components, subject and verb. In the sentence below, there are two clauses:

• Although I was drunk, I took more beer bottles.

«Although I was drunk» is referred to as a subordinate clause or dependent clause, and it attaches itself to the primary clause, «I took more bottles.» From the above, it has been mentioned that we should not use «despite» with a clause. But this is somehow tricky if you have «the fact that» in your sentence. Once you have «the fact that,» a clause can be attached after «despite.»

For example:

• Despite I was drunk, I took more beer bottles (incorrect)
• Despite the fact that I was drunk, I took more bottles (correct)
• Despite he didn’t like him, he showed up (incorrect)
• Despite the fact that he didn’t like him, he showed up (correct)

«Despite» Example Sentences

• Despite the recession, Timothy’s company is doing well.
• Despite the fact that he can afford a car, he uses the bicycle.
• When we arrived in Tokyo, it was hot, despite the fact that it was winter.
• Rooney’s kids enjoyed the vacation despite the earthquake threats.
• Despite his uncaring words, she left romantic flowers near the bed.
• I passed all the tests despite the fee challenges.
• Despite her suspicion, she cooked for him.
• Despite their doubts, we need to clear up the suspicion that there’s an alleged dichotomy found in some of this information.
• In the whole ordeal, Jasmine remained relaxed despite having a loaded gun.

Bottom Line

The term «despite» is one of the common words in the corridors of the English language. One should understand the meaning of the word before using it. In addition, the user should know the synonyms and where to apply the term. As mentioned above, the phrase should be used on sentences with nouns, gerunds, and fact + clauses sentences. Do enough practice, all is not lost, and soon you will be a pro in using the preposition.

Firstly, the word despite (without ‘in’ or ‘of’) has the same meaning as in spite of. Both words are used for contrast.

Here is a common sentence mistake made by students:

• Despite he was hungry, John did not eat. (Incorrect)

Why is this incorrect? Because the words despite and in spite of are prepositions, not subordinating conjunctions. This means that after these words, you only need a noun. You cannot put a clause that has a subject and a verb.

Usage #1: Despite / In spite of + noun , main clause

• Despite his hunger, John did not eat. (Correct = ‘hunger’ is a noun)

If you want to use a subject («he») and a verb («was»), then use a subordinating conjunction such as although/though/even though/while. These words are followed by clauses.

• Although he was hungry, John did not eat. (Correct)
• Even though she had a broken arm, she played the game. (Correct)
• Though the water was cold, we enjoyed swimming. (Correct)

You can use despite or in spite of (they have the same meaning) to express the above ideas. However, you should only use nouns.

• In spite of his hunger, John did not eat (Correct)
• Despite her broken arm, she played the game. (Correct)
• In spite of the temperature of the water, we enjoyed swimming. (Correct)

All of these examples follow this format:

[Despite] / [In spite of] + noun , main clause

This is the standard way to use both in spite of and despite.

Usage #2: Despite / In spite of + Gerund

You can always change a verb (e.g. run) into a noun by changing the verb into the ~ing form (running). A verb in ~ing form that is used as a noun is called a gerund. Because gerunds as treated as nouns, they can come after despite or in spite of. For example:

• Despite he had no time, he stopped to help.

> Incorrect because ‘he had’ begins is a clause.

• Despite having no time, he stopped to help.

> Correct because ‘having no time’ becomes a gerund phrase. It is not a clause because we have removed the subject ‘he’. Because a gerund is treated as a noun, this follows the despite + noun format.

Here are some more examples of gerund phrases:

• In spite of we arrived arriving late, we found good seats.
• Despite he was being angry, he let us in.
• In spite of we ran running out gas, we arrived on time.
• Despite he didn’t order not ordering our food correctly, the waiter seemed like a good person. 

Usage #3: Despite / In spite of + the fact (that) + clause

A clause has a subject and a verb. There are two clauses in the below sentence:

• Although I was sick, I took the test.

The first clause ‘Although I was sick’ is a subordinate clause (or dependent clause) which attaches to the main clause ‘I took the test’. As we have learned, we do not use despite or in spite of with a clause.

However, there is a trick. If you use ‘the fact that’, then you can attach a clause after despite or in spite of:

• Despite I was sick, I took the test. (Incorrect)
• Despite the fact that I was sick, I took the test. (Correct)
• In spite of she didn’t like me, she gave me a present. (Incorrect)
• In spite of the fact that she didn’t like me, she gave me a present. (Correct)

This usage is valid, but a little long. In my opinion, if you want to use a clause, then it’s easier to use a subordinating conjunction like although/though/even though:

• Even though she didn’t like me, she said hello. 

Here are some exercises that you can use to practice the usage of Despite / In spite of.

Practice Exercises: Despite & In spite of

Answers

1. her age 2. knowing 3. its high price 4. Although 5. in spite of

How can you improve your English? The best way is to practice speaking and writing with a teacher who can give you immediate feedback. If you don’t have a teacher, there is also free software such as Grammarly that can give you grammar feedback while you type.

That’s it. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.

—— Written by Matthew Barton of Englishcurrent.com (copyright)

Для английского языка не вполне характерно наличие 4 лексических единиц, обозначающих одно и то же. Тем не менее, в случае с despite, in spite of, although и even though, мы должны согласиться, что есть и исключения из этой традиции. Да, значение этих слов одинаково – «несмотря на.., хотя…» Однако есть разница в употреблении последующих за ними слов.

Разница предлогов Despite и In spite of

Despite и In spite of оба переводятся как «несмотря на». Эти слова – предлоги, поэтому после них ставится существительное. Наглядно всю «правду» об этих словах можно представить в виде таблицы.

	Транскрипция	Часть речи	Сочетаемость	Перевод
Despite	/dɪˈspaɪt/	предлог	Despite / In spite of + сущ., местоимение или глагол с -ing	Несмотря на…
In spite of	/ɪn/ /ˈspaɪt/ /əv/

А теперь давайте посмотрим разницу в употреблении на примерах

• We enjoyed our holiday in spite of the rain.
• Despite the pain in his leg, he completed the marathon.
• Despite having all the necessary qualifications, they didn’t offer me the job.

Осторожно: не перемешивать слова!

Простите за каламбур: несмотря на то, что эти предлоги звучат практически одинаково, путать их употребление нельзя.

Не стоит “of” добавлять к despite – despite of. И наоборот: не рекомендуем “of” убирать от in spite of – in spite.

• Despite the bad weather, there was a large crowd at the match. ☑
• NOT! Despite of the bad weather, there was a large crowd at the match. ☒
• In spite of the bad weather, there was a large crowd at the match. ☑
• NOT! In spite the bad weather, there was a large crowd at the match. ☒

Правило употребления союзов Although, Even though

По аналогии со своими предшественниками эти слова также имеют одинаковый перевод – «хотя». Однако они существенно выделяются в употреблении: это союзы, то есть такие части речи, которые соединяют между собой предложения. Следовательно, после although или even though мы не просто должны поставить одно существительное, местоимение или –ing форму, но и далее сопроводить их глаголом – сказуемым.

	Транскрипция	Часть речи	Сочетаемость	Перевод
Although	/ɔːlˈðəʊ/	Союз	Although / Even though + подлежащее + сказуемое	Хотя… Несмотря на то, что…
Even Though	/ˈiːv(ə)n/ /ðəʊ/

• Although he worked very hard, he didn’t manage to pass the exam.
• We decided to buy the house even though we didn’t really have enough money.

Изучив эти примеры можно сделать вывод о том, что союз even though более эмоционально окрашен, является «усиленной» версией although. По значению эти союзы одинаковы, а вот по тональности немного расходятся.

Четверо в одном ряду: правильный перевод на английский

Когда после фразы «несмотря на то, что» необходимо поставить целое предложение, а в голове вертятся только despite или in spite of, выход есть. Необходимо далее поставить фразу “the fact that” и смело добавлять подлежащее и сказуемое.

Although	–	⇒	«Несмотря на то, что…»
Even though
Despite	+ “the fact that…”
In spite of

Таким образом, предложение «Несмотря на то, что он был болен, он пришел на лекцию», можно перевести четырьмя способами:

1. Although he was sick, he attended the lecture.
2. Even though he was sick, he attended the lecture.
3. Despite the fact that he was sick, he attended the lecture.
4. In spite of the fact that he was sick, he attended the lecture.

‘Despite’ as a preposition, a noun, and a verb

The three answers from 2010 pay little or no attention to the fact that despite can function as either a preposition or a noun—although RegDwigнt does cite Etymonline as observing that «The preposition [despite] (early 15c.) is short for in despite of (late 13c.)» In the phrase «in despite of,» despite is a noun.

In Merriam-Webster’s Eleventh Collegiate Dictionary (2003), the entry for despite as a preposition is quite brief:

despite prep (15c) : in spite of {played despite an injury}

The entry for despite as a noun is much longer and more interesting:

despite n {ME, fr. AF despit, fr. L despectus, fr. despicere} (13c) 1 : the feeling or attitude of despising : CONTEMPT 2 : MALICE, SPITE 3 a : an act showing contempt or defiance b : DETRIMENT, DISADVANTAGE {I know of no government which stands to its obligations, even to its own despite, more solidly —Sir Winston Churchill}

The quotation from Churchill in the Eleventh Collegiate’s entry for despite as a noun appears in the context of a comment by Churchill about the Soviet Union, seemingly delivered soon after the famous 1945 Yalta conference involving Churchill, Stalin, and Roosevelt:

The impression I brought back from the Crimea, and from all my other contacts, is that Marshal Stalin and the Soviet Leaders wish to live in honorable friendship and equality with the Western democracies. is that western democracies. I feel also that their word is their bond. I know of no government which stands to its obligations even to its own despite, more solidly than the Russian Soviet Government.

Anyway, the striking thing about the Eleventh Collegiate‘s coverage of despite as a noun is that it doesn’t include any labels indicating that despite is little used as a noun in modern English. Contrast that with the way the same dictionary handles the entry for despite as a verb:

despite vt despited, despiting (14c) 1 archaic : to treat with contempt 2 : obs : to provoke to anger : VEX

From this difference in treatment between the verb despite and the noun despite, it seems clear that Merriam-Webster considers despite as a noun to be neither archaic nor obsolete, as of 2003.

Merriam-Webster had some grounds for reaching this conclusion. Less than a century before, The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia (1906) had taken the position that despite as a preposition was merely a short form of the phrase «in despite of,» meaning «notwithstanding.» The Century Dictionary devotes this paragraph to «in despite of» under its entry for despite as a noun:

In despite of, in defiance or contempt of: in defiant opposition to: notwithstanding: later abbreviated to in spite of, or simply despite as a preposition.

Notably, the Century Dictionary doesn’t say that «in despite of» can correctly be shortened to «despite of.» The reason it doesn’t, I think, is that without the leading preposition in, the despite in «despite of» becomes a preposition—and when despite functions as a preposition, it normally doesn’t take in before it or of after it.

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‘Despite of’ and ‘in despite of’ in Google Books search results

A search for the phrases «despite of» (blue line), «in despite of» (red line) and «in his despite» (green line) across the period 1650–2008 shows the extent to which matches for «despite of» are also matches for «in despite of»:

As the chart indicates, until about 1825, the match between the two forms is such that vast majority of instances of «despite of» are also matches for «in despite of»; instances of «despite of» without in immediately preceding it are sufficiently rare that the blue line emerges as a kind of blue snow cap on some of the summits of a red mountain range. If we move the start of the chart to 1687, to avoid the spike from 1684 that dwarfs the rest of the chart, we get this view of the Google Books results for 1687–2008:

The snowcapping phenomenon is evident until about 1825, when searches find enough matches for «despite of» that aren’t also matches for «in despite of» to establish significant separation between the two terms’ line graphs. The individual Google Books search results for «despite of» for the years 1827–1837 continue to show most matches as involving instances of «in despite of»—but they also show some that don’t—including this example from Letter XIII of Walter Scott, Paul’s Letters to His Kinfolk (1816), reproduced in The Miscellaneous Prose Works of Sir Walter Scott (1827, 1829, 1833, 1834):

But Napoleon knew well the people over whom he was called to rule, and was aware that his power was secure, despite of annihilated commerce and exhausted finances, despite of his waste of the lives of Frenchmen and treasure of France, despite of the general execration of the human race, echoed from the Baltic to the Mediterranean, providing he could prove to the Parisians that he was still the Emperor of the World, and Paris its capital.

Still, instances of «despite of» without a leading in remained less common than the form «in despite of»—and of course far less common than the simple preposition despite by itself—at least through the end of the nineteenth century.

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‘Despite of’ today

Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (2008) offers this advice on the phrase «despite of»:

Common mistake: despite

Remember that despite is never followed by ‘of’. Don’t say ‘despite of something’, say despite something:

She is an excellent assistant, despite of her lack of computer skills.

She is an excellent assistant, despite her lack of computer skills.

Note that in spite has a similar meaning but is always followed by ‘of’:

In spite of her lack of computer skills, she is an excellent assistant.

The entry for despite as a preposition in this Cambridge dictionary consists of two definitions:

despite preposition 1 without taking any notice of or being influenced by; not prevented by: [examples omitted] 2 despite yourself If you do something despite yourself, you do it although you do not want to or although you know you should not: [examples omitted]

This dictionary, however, has no entry for despite as a noun.

Recent instances of «despite of» as a prepositional phrase are somewhat rare in Google Books searches, but they do occur. For example, from Jorge Alió & ‎Dimitri Azar, Management of Complications in Refractive Surgery (2008):

Dry eye symptoms have not been shown to increase after myopic LASIK enhancements despite of documented higher ocular surface fluorescein staining scores.

And from Nathan Rein, The Chancery of God: Protestant Propaganda Against the Empire, Magdeburg 1546–1551 (2008):

Reconciliation between Magdeburg and the Empire still seemed possible, negotiations were under way, and a military campaign would be horrendously expensive; thus, Maurice and the other princes held out for a peaceful settlement, even despite of the mounting evidence of Magdeburg’s intransigence in the form of pamphlets and occasional anticlerical aggression.

There are even some recent instances of «in despite of,» with despite clearly operating in its old position as a noun. For example, from John France, The Crusades and the Expansion of Catholic Christendom, 1000–1714 (2006):

Strongbow had married Diarmait’s daughter Aoife, and on her father’s death it became known that the dead king had designated him as his successor to Leinster, in despite of Irish succession laws and the claims of his own sons.

And from Hanning Chen, Molecular Modeling of Proton Transport in Condensed Phases (2008):

Examining th hydronium coordination number of NEO as a function the mole ratio between HCl and NEO reveals that the hydrophobic surface of NEO is large enough to accommodate the amphiphilic hydroniums even for A4 as ~80% of the hydroniums participate in the formation of HHC in despite of the low pH value.

…

Nevertheless, in despite of the small numerical discrepancy, the FM-EVB is still able to correctly reflect the tendency of the boxsize effect on D_H⁺, and is also projected to be in reasonably good agreement with the FP-EVB even for considerably large systems.

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Conclusions

Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary is clearly incorrect when it asserts that «despite is never followed by ‘of’,» but the rule that the dictionary tries to teach advanced English learners is undoubtedly practical and useful: most people speaking and writing in English don’t use the phrase «despite of,» and many people hearing the phrase will assume that it is an error.

The facts that despite in the phrase «in despite of» is a noun and that (according to the most recent Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary) despite as a noun remains in good standing in current English hold little practical weight, it seems to me. In most real-world situations, «in despite of» comes across as poetical, quaint, or mistaken. Still, the phrase has a long history of respectable use in English, and the notion that «in despite of» somehow transgresses against sense even more objectionably than «despite of» alone does fails to consider the differing parts of speech that despite functions as in the two phrases.

• #1

Hi guys,

I have a little doubt about these words, how I should use them? a partner told me when I use «Despite» I need a subject + verb, is it correct this? and what about of «Despite of» how I should use it? I’m really confused please is there anyone who can help me? What is the difference between both?

Despite

their insistence that he should appear when there is an important event, he usually sends a representative.

Despite of

their insistence that he should appear when there is an important event, he usually sends a representative.

• #2

Hi guys,

I have a little doubt about these words, how I should use them? a partner told me when I use «Despite» I need a subject + verb, is it correct this? and what about of «Despite of» how I should use it? I’m really confused please is there anyone who can help me? What is the difference between both?

Despite

/In spite of their insistence that he should appear when there is an important event, he usually sends a representative.

Despite of

Despite/In spite of their insistence that he should appear when there is an important event, he usually sends a representative.

«Despite of», alone, without «in», is incorrect English. But unfortunately it is used equally with ‘despite’.

Proper English only would use ‘despite in both your sentences’.

«In despite of» is older English for ‘in defiance of’ (a despecho de).

Now you will hear the synonmyn «in spite of» which = despite.

Despite../In spite of… = A pesar de…/Pese a…

Chao,
Grant

• #3

You can use just despite, or in + despite + of

We can reach our plans despite problems
In despite of rain, we’ll go to swim tomorrow (ejemplo un poco bobo, pero el primero que se me vino a la mente)

• #4

también puedes utilizar la expresión: «in spite of»

• #5

You can use just despite, or in + despite + of

We can reach our plans despite problems
In

despite

spite of the rain, we’ll go to swim tomorrow (ejemplo un poco bobo, pero el primero que se me vino a la mente)

This is not correct, Pali. Read my post. ‘In despite of» is not correct in your sentence. «In despite of» is old English and means «a despecho de».

In spite of… -or- Despite… =A pesar de../Pese a…
Despite of… —incorrecto
In despite of.. (pero muy rara en inglés) = A despecho de…

Grant

• #6

In spite of = in despite of, and it means «en despecho a», not «a despecho de» (that sounds really weird in spanish)

i know it’s an old form, but anyway you could find it, and if you look for in some dictionary, will find they’re synonymous

• #7

In spite of = in despite of, and it means «en despecho a», not «a despecho de» (that sounds really weird in spanish)

i know it’s an old form, but anyway you could find it, and if you look for in some dictionary, will find they’re synonymous

No — you will not find it. It is ‘not’ a synonym for ‘despite’. You’ve learned it incorrectly, Pali. I know I’ve learned things wrong in Spanish and had to relearn them. This is one you’ll need to relearn as well.

«Despite» and «In spite of» are synonyms. «In despite of» means something completely different and is incorrect when used for ‘despite’ or ‘in spite of’. No educated speaker would ever confuse them. And non natives should learn them properly.

Here’s where I found ‘a despecho de’s’ definition in the dictionary.

defiance:
English definition | in French | in Italian
conjugator | in context | images
From the Diccionario Espasa Concise © 2000 Espasa Calpe:

defiance

[dɪ’faɪəns] nombre
1 desafío
in defiance of (= in despite of), a despecho de
2 resistencia

In Google there are only 9 examples of ‘en despecho a’ and thousands of examples of ‘a despecho de’.

Web Results 1 — 9 of 9 for «en despecho a».
Web Results 1 — 10 of 150,000 for «a despecho de».

• #8

Perdón, pero yo sigo sin verlo, me queda claro que 1. despite y 2. in despite of son diferentes. Pero al final ambos los traduzco como a pesar de y confundo su utilización, sabiendo que el segundo es a despecho de, ¿podéis poner ejemplos de ese matiz diferente?

Gracias

Bevj

Allegra Moderata (Sp/Eng, Cat)

• #9

Veo que solo contestaron nativos de AE en este viejo hilo.
Personalmente (BrE) nunca diría ‘in despite of’.
A pesar de — in spite of/despite.

• #11

Veo que solo contestaron nativos de AE en este viejo hilo.
Personalmente (BrE) nunca diría ‘in despite of’.
A pesar de — in spite of/despite.

Yo tampoco y nunca he escuchado a un americano diciéndolo.

In spite of / Despite + …ing/el factor

In spite of/ Despite (the fact) that + sujeto