[Grammar] Trouble with: 'despite', 'to' and 'none'

[cookie201]

Hello,

I have some doubts regarding the use of 'despite', 'to', and 'none'.

1) I've heard 'despite the fact that... ', 'despite his/her/their + ing form of a verb', but I'm not sure if there are other grammar structures that can follow 'despite'.

For example:

'Despite she increased the amount of flowers in her garden, she wasn't happy'. Can pronouns such as 'he', 'she', or 'they' go after despite?

'Despite increasing amounts of (something), she wasn't happy'. Can -ing forms go after despite? (or does this depend on the context?)


2) Regarding 'to', is it acceptable to start a sentence with this preposition?

For example:

'Bringing up children is challenging' vs. 'To bring up children is challenging'.


3) Regarding 'none', should a plural or singular form go after it? I've heard both cases, so I'm not sure.

For example: 'None of them have a car" vs "None of them has a car"


I'm sorry for asking about three different grammar topics in one post, but I wasn't sure about starting three threads (I thought it was too much). Thanks for reading my message.

 

[Tarheel]

Hello,

I have some doubts regarding the use of 'despite', 'to', and 'none'.

1) I've heard 'despite the fact that... ', 'despite his/her/their + ing form of a verb', but I'm not sure if there are other grammar structures that can follow 'despite'.

For example:

'Despite the increased number of flowers in her garden, she wasn't happy'. Can pronouns such as 'he', 'she', or 'they' go after despite? (I don't think so.)

'Despite increasing amounts of (something), she wasn't happy'. Can -ing forms go after despite? (or does this depend on the context?)

Perhaps:

Despite an increasing frequency of sex, she wasn't happy.
​

(Why not?)

 

[Tarheel]

Perhaps:

Despite increasing the time she devoted to exercise, she was still fat.​

 

[Tarheel]

2) Regarding 'to', is it acceptable to start a sentence with this preposition?

For example:

'Bringing up children is challenging' vs. 'To bring up children is challenging'.

Sure, you can start a sentence with to. Perhaps:

To tell the truth, I don't know what to think about that.
​

 

[Tarheel]

Say "I have some questions" and not "I have some doubts".

 

[Tarheel]

3) Regarding 'none', should a plural or singular form go after it? I've heard both cases, so I'm not sure.

For example: 'None of them have a car" vs "None of them has a car"

The word none is considered singular. However, when the verb follow a plural noun it is acceptable to use a plural verb.

 

[cookie201]

Thank you so much for all your answers. However, there is still something I don't understand about 'despite'. For example:

"Despite increased (or increasing?) food intake, the cat continued to lose fat". I still wouldn't know whether to choose "increased" or "increasing" (an -ing form). Is this decision based on context?

 

[Tarheel]

Thank you so much for all your answers. However, there is still something I don't understand about 'despite'. For example:

"Despite increased (or increasing?) food intake, the cat continued to lose fat". I still wouldn't know whether to choose "increased" or "increasing" (an -ing form). Is this decision based on context?

It depends on how you want to say it. If you want to put it in the past tense, say:

Despite increased food intake, the cat continued to lose fat.
​

On the other hand, if you want to put it in the present tense, say:

Despite an increasing food intake, the cat continues to lose fat.
​

(Why fat and not weight?)

 

[emsr2d2]

In future, please limit yourself to one question per thread.