despite /in spite of

despite / in spite of 都解 雖然
分別在:
despite 後 S + V
in spite of 後 Noun / Noun Phrase / Gerund (換另一個解釋: of 係 preposition 後面不能S + V, 只能跟Noun / Noun Phrase / Gerund)

1. In depite of the rain(noun) , the Chan family went for a picnic.
2. Despite we tried our best (S + V), we still lost our game.

兩者分別與because / because of 相同
He is absent because he is ill (S + V).
He is absent because of illness (noun).

In spite of means exactly the same thing and is used exactly the same way as
despite.

1. Despite the rain, the Chan family went for a picnic.
2. Despite trying our best/our best efforts, we still lost our game.