Despite, in spite of, notwithstanding – Tushar Majumdar wants to know whether there is any difference among these words. Are they synonyms? Can they be freely interchanged?

Dictionaries generally treat despite and in spite of as synonymous with each other.  The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English explains despite thus: ‘in spite of something’. Despite all our efforts to save the school, the county decided to close it.

But a study of a number of citations shows that the two are not exact synonyms.  The point is rather delicate and not always appreciated. 

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.

The examples given above are from my book Current English (OUP 2001) where I first made the distinction on the lines suggested above. In case you think that these are invented examples to support my analysis, here are some citations.  They had a wonderful holiday despite the bad weather./  Despite what others say, I think he is a nice chap (ALD). / He remains a great leader despite age and infirmity (NODOE).

So there is a distinction; at least a distinction can be made.  But having said this I should also point out that not all writers observe the distinction and use the two expressions indifferently.

The point can only be settled by a statistical count.  We should see in how many cases the distinction (as suggested above) is observed and in how many cases no such distinction is observed. Obviously this is a matter which can only be settled by those having a large data base which can be scanned by a computer.

Meanwhile there is nothing wrong in keeping to the distinction made above.  We should make it a point to observe nice distinctions where they exist. This sharpens our use of words and makes our writing more precise.

I am not suggesting that in every sentence with a despite – phrase the following clause has the precise relation described above. What is being suggested is that, when such a relation obtains you are more likely to find despite than in stead of.

It follows that there will be instances where what follows the despite-phrase merely expresses something contrary to that expressed in the despite –phrase. Despite my warnings, he went ahead with his plans.

And now for a citation. Despite suggestions that the Registrar could rule on their petitions as early as today, members of the Diana circle refused to comment, claiming  newspapers had misrepresented their views… (The Guardian reprinted in DH, March 8, 2005).

It remains to examine how notwithstanding fits the contexts we are examining. It seems to me that notwithstanding is neutral in respect of the two contexts identified above (in connection with despite and in spite of). It can be used in either context.

The only difference is: notwithstanding is usually found in textual contexts i.e. where the reference is to some statement or observation made earlier.   Notwithstanding what is said above, the fact remains that…. As against this despite and in spite of figure in the context of situations.  One doesn’t usually come across a statement like: Despite what is said above….

Another word which can be usefully examined here is al(though). This behaves more or less like despite / in spite of. The difference is al(though) introduces clauses:  Though / Although he is rich…. Despite/ in spite of can only introduce phrases. For a clause to occur it should be made dependent on the fact. Despite / In spite of the fact that….

The writer can be contacted at ksyadurajan@yahoo.com