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Paco2004 Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
Despite
Hello Teachers
In a Japanese forum for English learning I found a bit complicated question about how to use "despite".
The questioner presented seven sentences as follows:
(A1) Although I have a terrible cold, I will go out tonight.
(A2) Despite having a terrible cold, I will go out tonight.
(A3) Despite a terrible cold, I will go out tonight.
(B1) Although he was a club member, he could not get in.
(B2) Although a club member, he could not get in.
(B3) Despite being a club member, he could not get in.
(B4) Despite a club member, he could not get in.
The questioner said that all the sentences (A1) to (B3) sound OK, but he/she feels some oddness in (B4).
And what he/she is seeking is the reason why (B4) sounds weird despite the fact (A3) sounds OK.
I myself feel (B4) is odd but I can't explain the reason. Could you help me?
In a Japanese forum for English learning I found a bit complicated question about how to use "despite".
The questioner presented seven sentences as follows:
(A1) Although I have a terrible cold, I will go out tonight.
(A2) Despite having a terrible cold, I will go out tonight.
(A3) Despite a terrible cold, I will go out tonight.
(B1) Although he was a club member, he could not get in.
(B2) Although a club member, he could not get in.
(B3) Despite being a club member, he could not get in.
(B4) Despite a club member, he could not get in.
The questioner said that all the sentences (A1) to (B3) sound OK, but he/she feels some oddness in (B4).
And what he/she is seeking is the reason why (B4) sounds weird despite the fact (A3) sounds OK.
I myself feel (B4) is odd but I can't explain the reason. Could you help me?
Top answer
IT doesn't quite match the other sentences, so it looks odd. IT does actually have a sensible meaning, but not that which is intended! I'll try to explain.
- IT doesn't quite match the other sentences, so it looks odd.
- IT does actually have a sensible meaning, but not that which is intended!
- I'll try to explain.
- A terrible cold - from the context it is clear that this is the disease, rather than cold weather, or a cold 'something'.
- It is clear that the cold itself is the thing causing a problem - therefore despite (having) a cold.
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3 Answers
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IT doesn't quite match the other sentences, so it looks odd. IT does actually have a sensible meaning, but not that which is intended! I'll try to explain.
A terrible cold - from the context it is clear that this is the disease, rather than cold weather, or a cold 'something'. It is clear that the cold itself is the thing causing a problem - therefore despite (having) a cold.
A terrible cold - from the context it is clear that this is the disease, rather than cold weather, or a cold 'something'. It is clear that the cold itself is the thing causing a problem - therefore despite (having) a cold.
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What I answered to the questioner was like this;
"Despite a club member, he could not get in" is someway ambiguous about what "despite a club member" exactly means.
The sentence could be interpreted two ways:
(1) Despite his club membership, he could not get in.
(2) Despite the fact some club member recommended him, he could not get in.
The problem would not be
"Despite a club member, he could not get in" is someway ambiguous about what "despite a club member" exactly means.
The sentence could be interpreted two ways:
(1) Despite his club membership, he could not get in.
(2) Despite the fact some club member recommended him, he could not get in.
The problem would not be
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Hello Nona
We posted at the same time. Anyway thank you for your explanation. I feel it seems almost the same as that I answered to the questioner. This time I learned "despite" is a word that needs a logical clarity when it is used. Thank you again.
paco
We posted at the same time. Anyway thank you for your explanation. I feel it seems almost the same as that I answered to the questioner. This time I learned "despite" is a word that needs a logical clarity when it is used. Thank you again.
paco
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