In spite of / Despite

After in spite of or despite, we use a noun, a pronoun (this/that/what etc.) or -ing:
• In spite of the rain, we enjoyed our holiday.
• I didn't get the job in spite of having all the necessary qualifications.
• She wasn't well, but in spite of this she went to work.
• In spite of what I said yesterday, I still love you.
Despite is the same as in spite of. Note that we say 'in spite of, but despite (without 'of'):
• She wasn't well, but despite this she went to work, (not 'despite of this')
You can say 'in spite of the fact (that)...' and 'despite the fact (that)...':
I didn’t get the job in spite of the fact that I had all the necessary qualifications
I didn’t get the job despite the fact (that) I had all the necessary qualifications.
Compare in spite of and because of:
• We went out in spite of the rain, (or ...despite the rain.)
• We didn't go out because of the rain.
Compare although and in spite of / despite:
• Although the traffic was bad. I arrived on time. (not in spite of the traffic was bad)
In spite of the traffic, I arrived on time. (not in spite of the traffic was bad)
I couldn’t sleep although I was very tired (not despite I was tired)
I couldn’t sleep despite being very tired (not despite I was tired)

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