Choose the most suitable option to replace the underlined part of the sentence. If the sentence is already correct, select 'No substitution required'.
Despite of the heavy rain, they decided to continue their trek.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Correct Answer
In spite of
Explanation
Prepositional Error: The word "Despite" is a preposition that inherently means "in spite of." It must never be followed by the preposition "of." Combining them into "Despite of" is a common grammatical redundancy error in English.
Contextual Correction: To express contrast or concession correctly, you can either use "Despite" on its own (without "of") or use the three-word transitional phrase "In spite of". Because "In spite of" is provided as an option, it serves as the perfect, grammatically correct substitute for the flawed underlined phrase.
Key Points
Word: In spite of
Meaning: Regardless of or taking no notice of a hindering factor (in this case, the heavy rain).
Grammatical Role: Compound preposition (functions to introduce a noun phrase that contrasts with the main clause).