Buzz
1. Overview of the IN SPITE OF, DESPITE Structure - meaning and usage
The structures 'in spite of' and 'despite' both mean 'although', indicating concession or contrast between two clauses. 'In spite of' and 'despite' function to connect two clauses in a sentence and can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence.
2. The Structure Formula of IN SPITE OF, DESPITE
- In spite of/Despite + danh từ/cụm danh từ/V-ing, S + V + …
- S + V + … in spite of/despite + danh từ/cụm danh từ/V-ing.
For example:
- In spite of the wonderful weather, I still decide to stay home and sleep.
= I still decide to stay home and sleep in spite of the wonderful weather.
(Despite the weather being wonderful, I decided to stay home and sleep.)
→ In this sentence, following 'in spite of' is the phrase 'the wonderful weather'.
- Despite feeling under the weather, Duy went to work as usual.
= Duy went to work as usual despite feeling under the weather.
(Despite feeling unwell, Duy still went to work as usual.)
→ In this sentence, following 'despite' is 'feeling', a verb in the -ing form.
- In spite of the headache, Jennie came to the concert on time.
= Jennie came to the concert on time in spite of the headache.
(Despite having a headache, Jennie still arrived at the performance on time.)
→ In this sentence, following 'in spite of' is 'the headache', a noun.
- In spite of/Despite the fact that + mệnh đề 1, mệnh đề 2
When 'in spite of' is combined with the phrase 'the fact that', you will need 2 complete clauses instead of 1 clause like the previous 2 cases.
- In spite of the fact that I don’t like him, I still accept his presents.
= Despite the fact that I don’t like him, I still accept his presents.
(Although I don't like him, I still accept his gifts.)
→ In this sentence, following 'in spite of/despite' is the clause 'I don’t like him'.
- When 'in spite of' and 'despite' begin a sentence, use a comma to separate the two clauses.
- Do not use 'IN SPITE' and 'DESPITE OF' forms, be careful not to misspell them.
3. Rewriting sentences with ALTHOUGH using IN SPITE OF, DESPITE
- Although + mệnh đề 1, mệnh đề 2
Following although is always a clause, whereas following in spite of or despite is a noun or V-ing. To change a sentence from although to in spite of, you need to convert the clause into a noun phrase/noun/V-ing.
3.1. Converting the clause following although into a noun phrase
When the clause following although is in the form N + to be + adj, it can be converted into a corresponding noun phrase with the adjective and subject intact.
- Although the wage was low, they accepted the job offer.
= In spite of (despite) the low wage, they accepted the job offer.
(Despite the low salary, they still decided to accept the job.)
→ In the original sentence with although, the clause 'the wage was low' has been transformed into the noun phrase 'the low wage'
- Although his car is cheap, he is still proud of it.
= In spite of (despite) his cheap car, he is still proud of it.
(Despite his car being cheap, he is still proud of it.)
→ In the original sentence with although, the clause 'his car is cheap' has been transformed into the noun phrase 'his cheap car'
3.2. Converting the clause following although into V-ing form
When both clauses after although share the same subject, you can omit part of the subject and change the verb to V-ing.
- Although she sings very well, Ally refuses to join the contest.
= In spite of (despite) singing very well, Ally refuses to join the contest.
(Despite singing well, Ally refused to participate in the competition.)
→ In the original sentence with although, both clauses have the subject Ally, so the subject of the first clause - she was omitted and the verb changed to V-ing (singing)
- Although the cat is fat, he runs very fast.
= In spite of (despite) being fat, the cat runs very fast.
(Despite being chubby, the cat runs very fast.)
→ In the original sentence with although, both clauses have the subject the cat, so the subject of the first clause was omitted and the verb changed to V-ing (being)
3.3. Chuyển mệnh đề sau although về dạng danh từ
Khi trong câu gốc although có chủ ngữ ở mệnh đề 1 và 2 là giống nhau ta có thể biến mệnh đề 1 về dạng danh từ.
- Although John had a backache, he went hiking with Jane.
= In spite of (despite) his backache, John went hiking with Jane.
→ Trong câu gốc với although, chủ ngữ của mệnh đề 1 và 2 cùng là John, mệnh đề 1 đã được chuyển thành dạng danh từ (his backache).
- Although he was careful, Alex fell off the stairs.
= In spite of (despite) his carefulness, Alex fell off the stairs.
(Mặc dù đã cẩn thận nhưng Alex vẫn ngã từ cầu thang.)
→ Trong câu gốc với although, chủ ngữ của mệnh đề 1 và 2 cùng là Alex, mệnh đề 1 đã được chuyển thành dạng danh từ (his cautiousness).
4. Bài tập với cấu trúc in spite of có đáp án.
Nối 2 câu sau sử dụng cấu trúc in spite of.
- They are poor. They live happily.
→ In spite of the heavy rain, she managed to arrive on time.
- We go to the same university. We hardly meet each other.
→ In spite of his fear of heights, he climbed the mountain successfully.
- The weather was good. We didn’t go on a picnic in the park.
→ Exercises to practice using 'in spite of'.
- He broke his promises many times. She still believes him.
→ Complete the sentences with 'despite'.
- They tried their best. They lost the match yesterday.
→ Examples illustrating the use of 'although'.
Đáp án
- In spite of/Despite being poor, they live happily.
- In spite of/Despite the fact that we go to the same university, we hardly meet each other.
- In spite of/Despite the good weather, we didn’t go on a picnic in the park.
- In spite of/Despite the fact that he broke his promises many times, she still believes him.
- In spite of/Despite trying their best, they lost the match yesterday.
