(1) ①in spite of意为“尽管……”，为普通用语，但语气较重，差不多相当于由although 引导的从句。

• We went out in spite of the rain.(=...although it was raining.)
  尽管下雨，我们还是出去了。
• In spite of the fact that he had made desperate efforts, he failed the exam in English.
  尽管他做出了极大努力，他英语考试还是不及格。

②in spite of与because of为反义词。

• He married her because of her looks.(=...because she was beautiful.)
  因为她的相貌(出众)他娶了她。
• He married her in spite of her looks.(=...although she was ugly.)
  尽管她长相丑陋他还是娶了她。

 (2) ①despite为书面语，意思与in spite of 相同，常可换用。

• He decided to keep on despite his failure in the experiment.
  尽管试验失败了，他还是决定坚持下去。
• Despite his advanced years, he's learning to drive.
  尽管他上了年纪，他仍在学习开车。

②despite可直接与that从句连用，in spite of则不能。

• They decided to go for an outing despite that it was drizzling.
  尽管下着毛毛雨，他们还是决定外出郊游。
• Despite/In spite of the fact that he had been running a high fever, he kept on fighting the floods on the bank of the river.
  尽管他发着烧，他还是坚持在河堤上抗洪。

 (3) for all与with all意思相同，也是“尽管……；不顾……”，常用于书面语，构成强调句型。for/with all 常与 in spite of all换用。

• For all/With all/In spite of all his achievements, he remains modest and prudent.
  尽管他取得了那些成就，他依然谦虚谨慎。
• For all/With all his faults, he is still trust-worthy.
  尽管他有缺点，但他仍值得信任。

 (4) for all that多用于口语，意思是“尽管是那样”。

• He says he didn't do it, but I'm sure he did it for all that . (=...in spite of what he has said.)
  尽管他说他没做那件事，但我肯定他还是做了。
• We sometimes quarreled with each other, but we were good friends for all that .
  我们有时相互争吵，尽管如此，我们还是好朋友。

 (5) ①notwithstanding作介词用时，意为“尽管”，与in spite of同义，语气较轻，但文气较重。

• Notwithstanding their naughtiness, I love my little girls.
  尽管我的小女儿们调皮，我仍然爱她们。
• The match was held as planned notwithstanding the bad weather.
  尽管天气不好，比赛还是如期举行了。

②notwithstanding可接that从句。

• We would take up the task notwithstanding that they advised us not to.
  我们将接受这次任务，尽管他们劝我们不要接受。

③notwithstanding可以用作副词，意为“仍然，尽管如此”。

• Whatever you may say, I'll do it notwithstanding .
  不管你说什么我仍然要做这件事。

 (6) regardless of意为“不管……如何；不顾”；without regard for/to意为“也不管……”，两者意思近似。

• We'll do it regardless of/without regard to the price.
  不论代价如何，我们都要做这件事。
• Some people act regardless of/without regard for what will happen afterwards.
  有些人办事不顾后果。

 (7) without distinction of意为“不加区分，不分，不论”。

• The President shook hands with everyone, without distinction of rank.
  不论职位高低,总统跟每一个人都握了手。

 (8) without reference to意为“不论……；不管……”与regardless of, without regard for/to, without distinction of常可互换。

• This test is to be taken by all pupils without reference to age or grade.
  这项测试，不论年龄和级别，所有小学生都将参加。

 (9) without respect to/of意思也是“不论……；不管……”。

• Everybody can come to the school, without respect to/of class, race or sex.
  不论阶级、种族或性别，谁都可以来这所学校上学。
• Those who have broken the law must be punished without respect of persons.
  违反法律的人，不论是谁，都必须受到惩罚。