[化学論文のための英語講座] 第12回：イディオム Despite/ In spite of

(English version is here.)

適切な答えを選んでください。

(1) The reaction proceeded in high efficiency, _________________ the hindrance presented by the adjacent alkyl group.
a. in despite of b. in spite of c. in despite d. spite

(2) After completion of the reaction, the protecting group remained intact as desired, __________ the harsh conditions.
a. in spite b. in despite of c. despite d. spite of

答 1. b 2. c

ポイント解説
「despite」と「in spite of」は同じ意味です。「spite」は「悪意」という意味がありますが、「despite」と「in spite of」は「にもかかわらず」という意味になります。「despite」には「悪意」という意味もありますが、古い使い方です。
現在、「despite」は前置詞と一緒には使わず、さらに「spite」を「悪意」として使う場合にも前置詞は使いません。「in despite of」は正しいですが古い使い方です。研究論文中に「悪意」として用いることはめったにないでしょうが、「にもかかわらず」として使う場合は、「despite」または「in spite of」は現代的です。

(3) _______________ our best efforts, we were unable to obtain the desired orientation through this reaction.
a. Despite b. In despite of c. Spite of d. To spite

(4) _______________ the multiple contiguous chiral centers, the cascade reaction allowed preparation of the A/B unit in high yield with high stereoselectivity.
a. Spite b. In despite c. In spite of d. To spite

答 3. a (b. は古い言い方) 4. c

訳文：
(1) 隣接するアルキル基に阻害されながらも、高効率で反応が進行した。
(2) 過酷な条件にもかかわらず， 反応の終了後も保護基が損なわれていなかった。
(3) 最善の努力をしたにもかかわらず、今回の反応では目的の方向性を得ることができなかった。
(4) 複数のキラル中心が連続しているにもかかわらず、カスケード反応により、A/Bユニットを高い立体選択性で高収率に得ることができた。

次回は、間違いやすい単語、BecauseとWhileの違いについてです。

Despite/ In spite of

Please select the correct answer.

(1) The reaction proceeded in high efficiency, _________________ the hindrance presented by the adjacent alkyl group.
a. in despite of b. in spite of c. in despite d. spite

(2) After completion of the reaction, the protecting group remained intact as desired, __________ the harsh conditions.
a. in spite b. in despite of c. despite d. spite of

Answers: 1. b 2. c

Key points:
"Despite" and "in spite of" have the same meaning. Although "spite" means "malice" as a noun or "treat with malice" as a verb, "despite" and "in spite of" mean "in defiance of" or "contrary to expectation of". "Despite" can be used interchangeably with "spite", although it is an archaic usage.
At present, "despite" is used without a preposition, and furthermore, when "spite" is used as "malicious" it does not take a preposition. Grammatically, "in despite of" is correct, however it is an archaic form. "Malicious" is seldom used in research reports, but when used as "in defiance of", "despite" or "in spite of" are modern forms.

(3) _______________ our best efforts, we were unable to obtain the desired orientation through this reaction.
a. Despite b. In despite of c. Spite of d. To spite

(4) _______________ the multiple contiguous chiral centers, the cascade reaction allowed preparation of the A/B unit in high yield with high stereoselectivity.
a. Spite b. In despite c. In spite of d. To spite

Answers: 3. a (b. is archaic) 4. c

Next time, We will discuss about the easy-to-mistake words, Because and While.