en dépit de
In Spite of with En Depit De
En dépit de is a formal way to say 'despite' or 'in spite of.' It introduces a fact or obstacle that should have prevented an action, but didn't. It is more literary and carries a stronger sense of defiance than the common word malgré.
How It Works
1. Usage with Nouns and Articles
The most frequent use of en dépit de is before a noun phrase to introduce a negative factor or obstacle. Note that the preposition de must contract with definite articles: du and des.
Example: En dépit du mauvais temps... (Despite the bad weather...).
2. Nuance vs. Malgré
While en dépit de and malgré are often interchangeable, en dépit de suggests a stronger contradiction or a more active resistance. It typically introduces a hindering element and is preferred in formal writing. A common fixed expression is en dépit du bon sens (against all common sense).
3. Usage with Pronouns
When used with people, it requires disjunctive pronouns. To express 'in spite of oneself' (acting against one's own will), add -même for idiomatic naturalness.
Example: Il a ri en dépit de lui-même. (He laughed in spite of himself).
4. The Clause Construction
To follow this expression with a full sentence, use en dépit du fait que. In formal registers, the indicative is used to emphasize the factuality of the statement, but the subjunctive is also perfectly acceptable and common by analogy with bien que.
Example: En dépit du fait qu'il est tard... (Despite the fact that it is late...).
5. Important Restrictions and Variants
Following en dépit de directly with an infinitive is generally avoided; use avoir beau + infinitive instead. Note that en dépit que (without de) followed by the subjunctive is a rare literary variant sometimes found in classic texts.
Examples (5)
- Il a maintenu sa position en dépit des critiques virulentes.
He maintained his position despite the virulent criticism.
Word by Word: He has maintained his position in despite of-the criticisms virulent.
Here, 'en dépit de' introduces a noun phrase ('les critiques') to show that the criticism did not stop him.
- Elle a terminé la course en dépit de sa blessure au genou.
She finished the race in spite of her knee injury.
Word by Word: She has finished the race in despite of her injury at-the knee.
This demonstrates the classic use of the phrase to show an obstacle being overcome.
- Le projet a été validé en dépit du fait qu'il manquait de financement.
The project was approved despite the fact that it lacked funding.
Word by Word: The project has been validated in despite of-the fact that it lacked of funding.
When a full clause (subject + verb) follows, the construction 'en dépit du fait que' must be used.
- Il a souri en dépit de lui-même.
He smiled in spite of himself.
Word by Word: He has smiled in despite of him-self.
Using a stressed pronoun with '-même' indicates the action happened against the person's own will or intention.
- En dépit de ses efforts, il n'a pas réussi l'examen.
Despite his efforts, he did not pass the exam.
Word by Word: In despite of his efforts, he (neg) has not succeeded the exam.
The phrase can be placed at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis.
Common Mistakes
Using an infinitive directly after the preposition.
En dépit de travailler dur, il a échoué.En dépit de son travail acharné, il a échoué.In standard French, 'en dépit de' is generally not followed by an infinitive. It is much more natural to use a noun or a different structure like avoir beau + infinitive.
Using 'en dépit que' in modern standard speech.
En dépit qu'il pleut, nous sortons.En dépit du fait qu'il pleut, nous sortons.While 'en dépit que' exists as a rare literary variant, it is generally avoided in modern French. Use 'en dépit du fait que' or bien que instead.
Using 'malgré que' in formal writing.
Malgré qu'il pleuve, nous sortons.En dépit du fait qu'il pleut, nous sortons.While 'malgré que' is common in speech, it is often criticized in formal contexts. 'En dépit du fait que' is a safer and more elegant alternative for formal registers.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'en dépit de', learners must understand how to form complex prepositions using 'de' and how 'de' interacts with articles. Since this is a formal level 5 pattern, learners should already be familiar with other ways to express concession and the basic mechanics of noun-linking in French.
- de (provenance / appartenance)Origin, Possession with De
The pattern 'en dépit de' is a complex prepositional phrase ending in 'de', which requires knowledge of how 'de' functions to link to a following noun.
Level 1 - du (de + le)Contraction De + Le = Du
Since 'en dépit de' is followed by a noun, learners must know how to contract 'de' with definite articles (du, des) when introducing the object of the concession.
Level 1 - quoique + SubjunctiveAlthough with Quoique
Understanding 'en dépit de' (in spite of) requires a prior grasp of concessive logic, which is typically introduced through conjunctions like 'quoique' or 'bien que'.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- bien que + SubjunctiveAlthough with Bien Que
'Bien que' is the conjunction equivalent of 'en dépit de'; it is used with verbs instead of nouns.
Level 3 - avoir beau + InfinitiveDespite Trying with Avoir Beau
An idiomatic way to express 'despite doing something' when the subject is a verb.
Level 4 - cependantHowever with Cependant
An adverb used to express 'however,' providing a similar logical link of concession between two sentences.
Level 4 - nonobstantNotwithstanding with Nonobstant
An even more formal/legal synonym for 'en dépit de' meaning 'notwithstanding'.
Level 6 - moi / toi / lui / elle / nous / vous / eux / ellesStressed Pronouns Moi, Toi, Lui, Elle, Nous, Vous, Eux, Elles
These pronouns are required when 'en dépit de' refers to a person (e.g., 'en dépit d'eux').
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice en dépit de in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes French lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
