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Old Eladio Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

Despite+noun

Hi, my dear friends from EF. I was abroad for a long time, so I did not post. Could you, please, comment this point: We use "despite" before a noun, for example, "I loved Jane despite the fact that she loved Mike, not me", or "I loved Jane despite her loving Mike, not me". Now a question: Can I say in correct English?: "I loved Jane despite her love for Mike, not for me". If yes, what is the difference between these two last sentences (her loving Mike and her love for Mike)?

Thank you in advance. And I am here again!

Eladio
  

Top answer

despite her loving Mike and despite her love of/for Mike are equivalent. You can use either one. The first suggests a more dynamic situation; the second suggests a more static situation.

— CalifJim

  • despite her loving Mike and despite her love of/for Mike are equivalent.
  • You can use either one.
  • The first suggests a more dynamic situation; the second suggests a more static situation.
  • The difference is very slight.
  • The second seems more straightforward, less wordy.
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1 Answers
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despite her loving Mike and despite her love of/for Mike are equivalent. You can use either one. The first suggests a more dynamic situation; the second suggests a more static situation. The difference is very slight. The second seems more straightforward, less wordy. Personally, I'd choose the second.

CJ
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