Cool MateDespite vs Regardless
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Despite
Top 1,000 (very common)B1preposition
Regardless
Top 2,000 (common)C1adverb
Most common: Despite
| Despite | Regardless | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dɪˈspaɪt//🇺🇸 //dɪˈspaɪt// | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈɡɑːdləs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈɡɑːrdləs/"]/ |
| Meaning | In spite of something. | No matter what; not paying attention to something. |
| Example | She completed the marathon despite the harsh weather. | The weather was terrible but we **carried on regardless**. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | preposition | adverb |
| Collocations | despite the challenges, despite the risks, despite the noise | regardless of the consequences, regardless of the situation, regardless of age |
| Antonyms | because of, due to | considering, mindful, concerned |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'despite' with 'although', Using 'despite' before a clause instead of a noun or gerund, Incorrectly using 'despite' without a following noun or gerund | 'Irregardless' is incorrect; the correct form is 'regardless'., Forgetting to use it with 'of' (e.g., say 'regardless of the circumstances')., Using it in overly formal contexts where simpler language would suffice. |
| Usage notes | Use 'despite' to show contrast between two ideas. It's more formal than 'in spite of'. | Use 'regardless' to indicate that an action or decision is not influenced by other factors. It's often used in both spoken and written English. However, be careful not to confuse it with 'irregardless', which is nonstandard. |
Frequently asked questions: Despite vs Regardless
What's the difference between Despite and Regardless?
Despite: In spite of something. Regardless: No matter what; not paying attention to something.
Which is more common: Despite and Regardless?
Despite is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Despite and Regardless?
Regardless is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Despite and Regardless the same CEFR level?
Despite: B1, Regardless: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Despite and Regardless?
Despite: preposition, Regardless: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Despite: She completed the marathon despite the harsh weather. Regardless: The weather was terrible but we **carried on regardless**.
Can I use Despite and Regardless interchangeably?
Not always. Despite and Regardless are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.