However vs. In Spite Of

Attribute	However	In Spite Of
Usage	Used to introduce a contrasting idea or statement	Used to introduce a contrasting idea or statement
Position in sentence	Can be used at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence	Usually used at the beginning of a sentence
Formality	Can be used in both formal and informal contexts	Can be used in both formal and informal contexts
Length	Shorter in length compared to "In Spite Of"	Longer in length compared to "However"

Introduction

When it comes to expressing contrast or contradiction in writing, two common phrases that are often used are "however" and "in spite of." While both of these phrases serve a similar purpose, they have distinct attributes that set them apart. In this article, we will explore the differences between "however" and "in spite of" and provide examples of how they can be used effectively in writing.

Usage of However

The word "however" is typically used to introduce a contrasting or contradictory statement. It is often placed at the beginning of a sentence to indicate a shift in thought or direction. For example, "I wanted to go to the beach; however, it started raining." In this sentence, "however" is used to show that the speaker's desire to go to the beach was thwarted by the rain.

One key attribute of "however" is that it can be used to connect two independent clauses. This means that each clause could stand alone as a complete sentence. For instance, "She was tired; however, she decided to stay up late to finish her work." In this example, "however" connects the two clauses to show the contrast between the speaker's fatigue and her decision to stay up late.

Additionally, "however" can be used in the middle of a sentence to create a stronger contrast. For example, "The weather was hot and humid; however, we still enjoyed our picnic in the park." In this sentence, "however" is used to emphasize the unexpected enjoyment of the picnic despite the uncomfortable weather conditions.

Overall, "however" is a versatile word that can be used to introduce contrast, contradiction, or unexpected outcomes in writing. Its ability to connect independent clauses and create emphasis makes it a valuable tool for expressing complex ideas.

Usage of In Spite Of

On the other hand, "in spite of" is a phrase that is used to indicate that something happened despite a particular obstacle or difficulty. It is often followed by a noun or a gerund to show what the obstacle or difficulty was. For example, "In spite of the rain, we decided to go for a walk." In this sentence, "in spite of" is used to show that the decision to go for a walk was made despite the rainy weather.

Unlike "however," "in spite of" is not typically used to connect two independent clauses. Instead, it is used to highlight a specific obstacle or difficulty that was overcome. For instance, "In spite of his fear of heights, he climbed to the top of the mountain." In this example, "in spite of" is used to emphasize the speaker's fear of heights as the obstacle that was overcome.

Another attribute of "in spite of" is that it is often followed by a noun or a gerund, rather than a full clause. This helps to clearly identify the obstacle or difficulty that was overcome. For example, "In spite of the traffic, we arrived at the airport on time." In this sentence, "traffic" is the noun that follows "in spite of" to show the obstacle that was overcome.

Overall, "in spite of" is a useful phrase for highlighting obstacles or difficulties that were overcome to achieve a particular outcome. Its specificity and focus on the obstacle make it a valuable tool for emphasizing resilience and determination in writing.

Comparison

While both "however" and "in spite of" are used to express contrast or contradiction in writing, they have distinct attributes that set them apart. "However" is a versatile word that can connect independent clauses and create emphasis, while "in spite of" is a phrase that highlights specific obstacles or difficulties that were overcome. Additionally, "however" is often used to introduce a contrasting statement, while "in spite of" is used to show that something happened despite a particular obstacle.

One key difference between "however" and "in spite of" is their grammatical structure. "However" is typically followed by a comma and used to connect two independent clauses, while "in spite of" is followed by a noun or a gerund to show the obstacle that was overcome. This difference in structure affects how each phrase is used in writing and the emphasis it creates.

Another difference between "however" and "in spite of" is their focus. "However" is more focused on the contrast between two ideas or outcomes, while "in spite of" is more focused on the obstacle or difficulty that was overcome. This difference in focus can impact the tone and message of a sentence, depending on which phrase is used.

Overall, both "however" and "in spite of" are valuable tools for expressing contrast and contradiction in writing. Understanding the attributes of each phrase and how they are used can help writers effectively convey their ideas and create engaging and dynamic prose.