Common Mistakes : Despite

  Despite – Preposition BAD: Despite the train was empty, he came and sat in front of me GOOD: Although the train was empty, he came and sat in front of me GOOD: Despite the train being empty, he came and sat in front of me Despite and in spite of are prepositions (NOT conjunctions). Unlike although (a conjunction), they cannot introduce a clause that has a finite verb (‘was’). Compare: ‘In spite of/Despite owning two cars, he can’t drive.’ Although he owns two cars, he can’t drive BAD: Despite of my qualifications, I couldn’t get a job GOOD: Despite my qualifications, I couldn’t get a job GOOD: In spite of my qualifications, I couldn’t get a job despite sth (WITHOUT of ): Despite the heat, she wouldn’t take her coat off in spite of sth (WITH of ): In spite of the heat, she wouldn’t take her coat off