‘Despite’ vs. ‘Inspite of’

January 25th, 2008 Shobe_ceo

On a legal writing class, a classmate of mine had a debate with our ‘judge’ professor regarding the proper use of the words despite and inspite of. Of course my classmate lost the debate in class since he had to submit to the judge’s ruling (hehe!) but he can’t just get over the issue so he posted in our block’s yahoogroups an article explaining the difference between the two words, and here it goes…

“The difference between the two expressions has to do with the way the set of circumstances preceding an event is related to what follows the event. An example or two will make the point clear. 1. In spite of a good monsoon prices have not come down. 2. Despite a heavy downpour, thousands turned up to hear the Prime Minister.

In both the cases, given the preceding situation, what happens is surprising. This is what is shared by the two expressions and this is what has prompted dictionary makers to treat them as synonymous and gloss one in terms of the other.

But there is a difference. In (1) the preceding situation was such as to ensure (or make likely) a positive outcome. But this did not happen. The monsoon was good but prices did not come down. In (2) the situation preceding is such as to suggest a negative outcome. But what actually happened is something positive. A heavy downpour should keep people away. But thousands turned up to hear the Prime Minister.”

This might get handy later on in life…so the lesson is: “Don’t argue with a judge, (you’ll never win) especially when she is your professor!” heheheh…cheers!

Entry Filed under: Atenista, For the Mind, Shobe_CEO

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