Despite/in spite of/Aid and aide

Despite/in spite of

Dear Dr English,

I am confused by "despite" and in spite of". Please explain with examples how to use them.

Sommai Chaipasee

Actually "despite" and "in spite of" mean very much the same: they are both prepositions used when the speaker wants to introduce a fact which makes the other part of the sentence very exciting. They are followed by a noun or noun phrase.

Despite the high prices, the restaurant provided very bad service.

In spite of the expensive bills, the services they charged us for were substandard.

Despite the fact that children should have at least 10 hours' sleep each night, many parents regularly keep their children up until very late every night.

In spite of the fact that children need 10 hours' sleep each night, many parents regularly keep their children up until very late every night.

Aid and aide

Dear Dr English,

What is the difference between an aid and an aide? Please explain.

Ladda Wangshimplee

Aid is something that helps people or the help itself; so aid means many things from food, money, equipment or services that are provided for people in need, such as food or medicines for quake victims etc.

Food and medicines were flown in from many countries for the starving children of South Africa.

Aid can be information or advice or support given to a person who has a problem or a question.

You filed a complaint about inadequate healthcare in March; have you received any aid so far?

And aid can be the help that you give to someone who is doing some work for you.

The job was on short notice, so I asked the boss for some aid from the clerk.

All the above meanings are used as uncountable nouns. The next meaning, which means something that is useful or helpful because it makes things easier to do or to understand, is a countable noun.

Old Jack needs a hearing aid, but he does not like to use it, so you will have to shout loudly when you talk to him.

An aide is a person who works as an assistant to someone in a high position, usually in government or the armed forces.

General Francis and his aides were at headquarters when it was attacked.

By Dr English

drenglish_7@hotmail.com