1. Directly connecting two contrasting ideas:
* Despite the rain, we had a wonderful time at the picnic.
* Despite his age, he still enjoys playing basketball.
* Despite the challenges, she persevered and achieved her goal.
2. Starting a sentence with "Despite":
* Despite the fact that she was tired, she finished her work.
* Despite having a bad cold, he went to work.
* Despite their differences, they remained close friends.
3. Using "despite" with a noun phrase:
* Despite the difficulties, she managed to succeed.
* Despite her injuries, she continued to compete.
* Despite all the setbacks, he never gave up hope.
4. Using "despite" with a gerund phrase:
* Despite being exhausted, she continued to work.
* Despite knowing the risks, he took the challenge.
* Despite having plenty of time, she rushed through the project.
5. Using "despite" with a prepositional phrase:
* Despite being in a rush, she took the time to help others.
* Despite the pressure from her boss, she stood her ground.
* Despite being away from home, she felt a sense of peace.
Remember: "Despite" always introduces a contrast between two elements. The first element is the element that would typically prevent something from happening, and the second element is the thing that happens anyway.