英语专四常见词辨析二百八十

despite, in spite of, notwithstanding

这些前置词或前置短语都含有“虽然，尽管”之意。

despite : 书面用词，指不受某事或某种原因的阻碍，语气轻于in spite of。

Despite the fact that she is short, she is an excellent basketball player.(尽管她个子矮, 却是个出色的篮球运动员。)

in spite of : 在这些词中语气最强，可与despite换用，口语或书面语中均可使用。

I went out in spite of the rain.(尽管下雨我仍然外出。)

notwithstanding : 语气最弱，仅表示一种障碍的存在。

He insisted on going to the football match, notwithstanding his doctor's advice to the contrary.(他不顾医生的劝阻, 坚持要去看足球比赛。)