What Does “Despair of sb” Mean?
“Despair of sb” means to lose hope or confidence in someone because they have disappointed you or failed to improve.
Introduction
The phrase “despair of sb” is often used when someone feels hopeless or frustrated about another person’s behavior or actions. It expresses a sense of giving up on someone because they seem unwilling or unable to change. Understanding the despair of sb meaning helps learners describe strong feelings of disappointment in a clear and natural way. This phrase is common in both spoken and written English, especially when discussing relationships, work, or personal growth. Knowing how to use “despair of sb” correctly will improve your ability to express emotions and experiences related to loss of hope in others.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: despair of sb (somebody)
- Type: Inseparable
- Level: B2–C1
- Short meaning: To lose hope in someone
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Despair of sb” is an inseparable phrasal verb, which means you cannot place words between “despair” and “of.” The structure is always:
- Despair + of + somebody
Examples:
- I despair of him.
- She despairs of her son’s behavior.
The object is always a person (sb = somebody).
How to Use “Despair of sb”?
Use “despair of sb” when you want to express frustration or hopelessness about someone’s actions or character. It is often used in personal contexts, such as family or friendships, and can also appear in formal writing or speech. The phrase often carries a serious or emotional tone.
Common verbs and expressions used with “despair of sb” include:
- I despair of
- We are beginning to despair of
- She has completely despaired of
Examples
- I despair of my brother ever finding a steady job.
- Teachers sometimes despair of students who don’t try hard.
- She despairs of her husband changing his bad habits.
- We all despair of the team’s poor performance this season.
- He began to despair of his friend’s honesty after so many lies.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: I despair him.
Correct: I despair of him. - Incorrect: She despairs about her son.
Correct: She despairs of her son. - Incorrect: They despair on their friend.
Correct: They despair of their friend.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include:
- Give up on sb: To stop trying to help or support someone. Less formal and more common in daily speech.
- Lose hope in sb: Similar meaning but more general, can be used with or without “of.”
- Despair of sb: More formal, focuses on deep emotional hopelessness.
Example comparison: “I give up on him” sounds more casual, while “I despair of him” expresses a stronger emotional disappointment.
Common Collocations
- Despair of someone’s behavior
- Despair of someone’s future
- Despair of someone’s progress
- Despair of someone’s honesty
- Despair of someone’s decisions
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of despair of sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: I don’t know what to do anymore. My brother keeps making the same mistakes.
Ben: I understand. Sometimes, you just despair of him.
Anna: Exactly. I feel like he will never change.
Ben: It’s hard, but don’t lose hope completely.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “despair of sb”:
- She _______ her son’s laziness after years of trying to motivate him.
- We sometimes _______ our neighbor’s noisy parties.
- He began to _______ his friend’s honesty after the incident.
FAQs
- Q: Can “despair of sb” be used in the past tense?
A: Yes, for example, “I despaired of him.” - Q: Is “despair of sb” formal or informal?
A: It is more formal and usually used in serious contexts. - Q: Can I use “despair of” with things, not people?
A: Generally, “despair of” is used with people (sb). For things, use “despair of something.” - Q: What is the difference between “despair of sb” and “give up on sb”?
A: “Despair of sb” is stronger and more emotional, while “give up on sb” is more casual. - Q: Is “despair of sb” separable?
A: No, it is inseparable; “of” must always follow “despair.”
