Notwithstanding
Academic discourse marker used to connect ideas
حرفيًا: Not + Withstanding (not resisting/not standing against)
Use it to acknowledge an obstacle while proving your point remains valid in formal settings.
في 15 ثانية
- A formal way to say 'despite' or 'even though'.
- Can be placed before or after the noun it modifies.
- Common in legal, academic, and high-level business contexts.
المعنى
Think of it as a very fancy way to say 'despite' or 'even though.' It shows that something is true even if there is a problem or a fact that might suggest otherwise.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Presenting a budget report
Notwithstanding the recent budget cuts, our department achieved all its goals.
Despite the budget cuts, we hit our targets.
A legal contract clause
The tenant must pay rent, any repairs notwithstanding.
The tenant must pay rent even if repairs are happening.
Writing a university essay
Notwithstanding his lack of formal training, the artist's work is revolutionary.
Even though he wasn't trained, his art is amazing.
خلفية ثقافية
The word is a staple of 'Legalese' and academic writing. It signals a high level of education and is often used in the US Constitution and international treaties to create exceptions to rules. Using it correctly marks you as someone very comfortable with high-level English discourse.
The 'Post-Noun' Trick
To sound extra sophisticated, place it after the noun: 'The rain notwithstanding.' It's a classic move in high-level English.
Don't Overdo It
Using this word three times in one paragraph will make your writing feel stiff and hard to read. Use it once for impact.
في 15 ثانية
- A formal way to say 'despite' or 'even though'.
- Can be placed before or after the noun it modifies.
- Common in legal, academic, and high-level business contexts.
What It Means
Imagine you are telling a friend about a crazy hiking trip. You had a broken compass, but you still found the peak. In a fancy essay, you would use notwithstanding to describe that compass. It basically means 'despite' or 'even with this problem.' It is a way to acknowledge a hurdle without letting it stop your sentence. It is like saying, 'Yeah, that happened, but we are moving on anyway.' It is a very sturdy, academic word.
How To Use It
This word is a bit of a gymnast. You can place it before the noun or right after it. You might say, notwithstanding the heat, we ran. Or you could say, the heat notwithstanding, we ran. Both are perfectly correct and sound very sophisticated. It usually starts a sentence or a new clause. Just pair it with a noun or a noun phrase. It acts like a preposition, guiding the reader through your logic.
When To Use It
Save this one for your most formal moments. It is perfect for a legal contract or a university thesis. If you are giving a big presentation at work, it adds gravity. It tells your audience you have considered the obstacles carefully. Use it when you want to sound authoritative and precise. It is great for debating or making a complex point in a meeting.
When NOT To Use It
Please, do not use this while ordering a burger. 'Notwithstanding my hunger, I will wait' sounds a bit ridiculous at a drive-thru. Avoid it in casual texts with your best friends. They might think you have swallowed a dictionary for breakfast. It is too heavy for light, everyday conversations. If you use it too much, you will sound like a 19th-century lawyer. Keep it in your 'professional' toolbox for special occasions.
Cultural Background
This word has deep roots in Middle English and legal history. It has been around since the 14th century, helping people argue more effectively. It carries the weight of centuries of English law. In the United States, it is even found in the Constitution. It represents a very specific type of intellectual rigor. It is the language of scholars, judges, and high-level diplomats.
Common Variations
If notwithstanding feels too heavy, try despite or in spite of. They mean the exact same thing but feel lighter. For a more conversational vibe, you can use even with. If you want to stay formal but change the rhythm, try nevertheless. Regardless of is another solid choice for everyday professional speech. Each one shifts the 'flavor' of your sentence slightly.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
This is a C1-level word. It is strictly for formal writing or professional speech. Using it in casual conversation is usually done for humorous effect.
The 'Post-Noun' Trick
To sound extra sophisticated, place it after the noun: 'The rain notwithstanding.' It's a classic move in high-level English.
Don't Overdo It
Using this word three times in one paragraph will make your writing feel stiff and hard to read. Use it once for impact.
The Lawyer's Favorite
In legal documents, this word is often used to say 'this rule wins over any other rules mentioned.' It's a power move.
أمثلة
6Notwithstanding the recent budget cuts, our department achieved all its goals.
Despite the budget cuts, we hit our targets.
Used here to show resilience in a professional setting.
The tenant must pay rent, any repairs notwithstanding.
The tenant must pay rent even if repairs are happening.
Shows the word placed after the noun, common in law.
Notwithstanding his lack of formal training, the artist's work is revolutionary.
Even though he wasn't trained, his art is amazing.
Standard academic usage to introduce a counter-point.
Your terrible directions notwithstanding, we actually arrived on time.
Even though your directions were bad, we made it.
Using a very formal word for a minor thing creates humor.
Notwithstanding the grief she felt, she continued to help others.
Despite her sadness, she kept helping people.
Adds a layer of serious, respectful weight to the sentence.
The traffic notwithstanding, I should be there by 9:00 AM.
Despite the traffic, I'll be there at 9.
A bit formal for a text, but works for a boss.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct placement for 'notwithstanding' to sound most formal.
The small size of the team ___, the project was a massive success.
`Notwithstanding` is the only option here that can follow the noun phrase naturally in this formal structure.
Complete the sentence using the most appropriate formal marker.
___ the evidence presented, the jury remained unconvinced.
`Notwithstanding` fits the formal tone of a courtroom or legal description perfectly.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality Level of 'Notwithstanding'
Talking to friends
Even with...
Daily work emails
Despite...
Business reports
In spite of...
Legal/Academic
Notwithstanding...
Where to use 'Notwithstanding'
Courtroom
Evidence notwithstanding...
University
Notwithstanding the theory...
Boardroom
Notwithstanding the risks...
History Book
Notwithstanding the war...
الأسئلة الشائعة
12 أسئلةYes, they mean the same thing. However, notwithstanding is much more formal and can be placed after the noun, which despite cannot do.
Not usually. It needs to be attached to a noun. You can say The delay notwithstanding, we arrived, but you can't just end a sentence with it like an adverb.
It is always written as one single word: notwithstanding. Don't add spaces!
In a casual setting, yes. If you use it at a party, people might think you're trying too hard. In a business meeting, it sounds professional.
Yes, you can use it followed by a full clause. For example: Notwithstanding that the store was closed, he tried to enter.
It is used in both! It is a standard part of formal English globally, especially in legal and academic circles.
The simplest alternatives are despite, even with, or regardless of.
It has a long history, but it is not 'dead.' It is still the standard choice for modern legal contracts and academic papers.
Yes. You could say, Notwithstanding her great wealth, she lived a very simple life.
Absolutely. Notwithstanding the cold, he went for a swim is a very common way to structure the sentence.
It can function as both, but it is most commonly used as a preposition followed by a noun.
It is pronounced 'not-with-STAN-ding.' The stress is on the third syllable.
عبارات ذات صلة
In spite of
A slightly less formal version of despite.
Regardless of
Without being influenced by other factors.
Albeit
Another very formal word meaning 'even though' or 'although'.
Nevertheless
Used to say 'in spite of that' when starting a new sentence.
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