How to use "notwithstanding"

What Does "notwithstanding" Mean?

• Grammatical function: It expresses concession or contrast, indicating that something is true despite another factor that might otherwise prevent it.
• Typical sentence position: Initial or medial.
• Register: Formal.

How to Use It

• Syntactic patterns: It's typically followed by a noun phrase or a that-clause. It can also function as an adverb modifying the main clause. The main clause usually follows, often after a comma.
• Punctuation rules: When notwithstanding introduces a clause, a comma usually separates it from the main clause. When used medially, it's often set off by commas.
• Grammatical flexibility: It can start a sentence. It can be moved, though less common, to a medial position. It is not typically negated.
• What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Using it in very informal contexts or placing it at the end of a sentence sounds unnatural.

Real-World Examples

"Notwithstanding the decision made this afternoon it should be noted that the application for production orders was made under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE), NOT the Official Secrets Act (OSA)." — The Guardian

"Notwithstanding my concern that Eurovision is becoming less Eurovision, that was a very satisfying end to the competition 2014." — The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Notwithstanding our differences of opinion, which remain, we worked closely and fruitfully together to advance the important processes of that time – curbing the arms race, European developments, German unification and reversing Iraq's aggression in the Middle East." — The Guardian

"Notwithstanding that Australia had been, um, settled for 60,000 years, it's quite a feat of dissembling to substitute occupation with investment." — The Guardian - Opinion

"eMarketer, another research firm, projects that online advertising in America will grow by 23% this year, economic troubles notwithstanding, because the measurability of the medium is too compelling for marketers to ignore." — The Economist

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/notwithstanding

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
despite	More common and versatile; suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
in spite of	Similar to "despite," but can sometimes carry a slightly stronger sense of contrast.
even though	Introduces a contrasting clause; more common in everyday language.
regardless of	Emphasizes that something will happen no matter what.
although	Connects two contrasting ideas; more common in general usage.
however	Introduces a contrasting statement; often used to shift the focus of the discussion.
nevertheless	Indicates a contrast or concession; slightly less formal than "notwithstanding".

Common Mistakes

• Using notwithstanding in informal conversation sounds overly formal and stilted.
• Forgetting to include a comma after the notwithstanding phrase can make the sentence difficult to read.
• Learners often confuse it with similar-sounding words or use it in informal contexts where it sounds overly formal.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Function	Register	Typical Position
notwithstanding	Concession/Contrast	Formal	Initial/Medial

FAQs

Where can "notwithstanding" be placed in a sentence?

Notwithstanding can appear at the beginning of a sentence, followed by the element it modifies and a comma. It can also appear mid-clause, often set off by commas, to interrupt the flow and introduce a concession.

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How does "notwithstanding" differ from "however"?

Both notwithstanding and however introduce a contrast. Notwithstanding is more formal and typically introduces a clause or phrase, while however is more versatile and often introduces a complete sentence expressing a contrasting idea.

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What's a common mistake when using "notwithstanding," and how can I avoid it?

A common mistake is using notwithstanding in informal settings, where it sounds overly formal. To avoid this, opt for alternatives like "despite," "even though," or "although" in casual conversation or informal writing. Additionally, ensure correct punctuation, using a comma after the introductory phrase.