What Does "despite the fact that" Mean?
- Grammatical function: This expression serves as a complex subordinating conjunction that introduces a concession. It establishes a relationship of contrast, indicating that a particular situation exists or an action occurs even though there is a circumstance that might logically prevent it.
- Typical sentence position: It is highly versatile and can appear in the initial position (starting a sentence to set the scene) or the medial position (connecting two clauses).
- Register: It is primarily used in formal and neutral contexts. It is a staple of academic, legal, and journalistic writing, where precision is favored over the brevity of informal speech.
How to Use It
- Syntactic patterns: The phrase must be followed by a full clause (subject + verb). It often follows a main clause or serves as the introductory element of a complex sentence.
- Punctuation rules: When the phrase starts a sentence, a comma must separate the subordinate clause from the main clause. When it appears in the middle of a sentence, a comma is often used before it to provide a pause, though this depends on whether the information is restrictive or non-restrictive.
- Grammatical flexibility: It can be moved easily within a sentence to change emphasis. However, it cannot be negated directly (e.g., you cannot say "not despite the fact that"); instead, the main verb of the clause it introduces is negated.
- What sounds unnatural: Using the phrase in very casual conversation can sound overly wordy or "stiff." Additionally, it should not be used to introduce a simple noun phrase; for that, use "despite" alone.
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from despite the fact that on Ludwig.guru.
"Despite the fact that public corporations ought to be risk neutral, they often carry insurance." — scholarship.law.columbia.edu
"This happened despite the fact that GFT was built to predict CDC reports." — dash.harvard.edu
"Despite the fact that that was a lie." — newyorker.com
"Despite the fact that all catalysts had similar CO chemisorption capacities, their activity varied widely." — sciencedirect.com
"That is despite the fact that a precedent exists." — economist.com
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
| Phrase |
Context |
| although |
More concise; suitable for both formal and informal writing to show contrast. |
| even though |
Slightly more emphatic than although; common in standard English. |
| notwithstanding |
Very formal/legalistic; can be used as a preposition or adverb. |
| despite |
Use this when followed by a noun or gerund rather than a full clause. |
| regardless of the fact that |
Similar in structure; emphasizes that the following fact does not change the outcome. |
| albeit |
Used to introduce a concessive adjective or adverbial phrase, not usually a full clause. |
Common Mistakes
- Redundant Prepositions: Learners often redundantly follow it with 'of' (e.g., 'despite of the fact that'). This is a confusion with the phrase "in spite of."
- Confusion with Although: Some writers incorrectly add 'that' to other conjunctions, leading to errors like "although that." Remember that although is a conjunction on its own, whereas despite is a preposition that requires "the fact that" to lead into a clause.
- Comma Splices: Failing to use a comma when the phrase begins a sentence can make the text difficult to parse.
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Function |
Register |
Typical Position |
| despite the fact that |
Concession / Contrast |
Formal / Neutral |
Initial or Medial |
FAQs
Can I use "despite the fact that" at the beginning of a sentence?
Yes, the expression is frequently used in the sentence-initial position to introduce a contrasting condition before the main clause. When used this way, ensure you place a comma after the subordinate clause to maintain grammatical clarity.
What is the difference between "despite the fact that" and "although"?
While both express concession, "although" is a single-word conjunction that is more concise and versatile across registers. Despite the fact that is a more formal, multi-word construction that allows the preposition "despite" to function like a conjunction by introducing a full noun clause.
Is it correct to say "despite of the fact that"?
No, adding "of" is a common error because learners confuse despite with the phrase "in spite of." You should use either despite the fact that or in spite of the fact that, but never combine them into a redundant hybrid.