other

notwithstanding

/ˌnɑːtwɪðˈstændɪŋ/ · say it: naht·with·STAN·ding

in spite of; nevertheless

In Formal & Academic

In more detail

1. (preposition) despite; in spite of

2. (adverb) however; nevertheless; all the same

Examples

1. Notwithstanding the heavy rain, the game continued as planned.
2. The plan has some flaws; notwithstanding, we should try it.

How to use notwithstanding

Notwithstanding is a formal, somewhat archaic conjunction or preposition used to introduce a contrasting statement or concession. As a preposition (notwithstanding + noun), it means 'in spite of'; as an adverb or conjunctive adverb, it means 'nevertheless' or 'all the same'. It appears more frequently in legal, academic, and formal written English than in everyday speech.

Common phrases

notwithstanding the fact that
notwithstanding his objections
notwithstanding these difficulties
notwithstanding all this

Synonyms

despite · in spite of · regardless of · however · nevertheless

A common mistake

Learners sometimes treat notwithstanding as only a preposition and forget it can also function as a standalone adverb meaning 'nevertheless', or they overuse it in casual conversation where simpler alternatives would be more natural.

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