in spite of 和 despite的区别?

despite用作介词时,与 in spite of同义,都表示“尽管”、“虽然”、“不顾”之意,但程度有所不同.
一般说来,in spite of的语气较强,使用范围也较广； despite的语气较弱,多用于诗歌或正式的文体中.despite可以写作despite of,也可以写作 in despite of；in spite of则可以写作 spite of,但这些写法已少用了.例：
Despite his advanced years,he is learning to drive．
虽然年事已高,他现在在学驾驶汽车.
Despite the drought,we expect a good crop．
尽管天旱,丰收依然在望.
In spite of the police brandishing their clubs and pistols,people showed not the slightest fear．
尽管警方挥动着短棍及手枪,但人们毫不畏惧.
We arrived at the station in spite of the storm．
虽然有暴风雨,我们依旧准点到达火车站.
应当在此指出的是,在现代英语里,despite和in spite of的差距已日渐缩小,很多人已将它们互换使用.
Despite除作介词外,尚可用作名词,表示“蔑视”、“憎恨”、“无意对待”之意