Notwithstanding the risks, the board approved the investment.

Notice

  • Notwithstanding the risks, the board approved the investment.
  • The project succeeded, notwithstanding several early setbacks.
  • Despite the criticism, the policy remains in place. (for comparison)
  • Even though sales fell, the company remained profitable. (for comparison)

Rule

Notwithstanding is a highly formal preposition meaning ‘despite’ — common in legal, business, and academic writing. It can precede or follow the noun phrase it modifies (‘notwithstanding the risks’ or ‘the risks notwithstanding’). Recognising the full range from casual (but) to highly formal (notwithstanding) lets you calibrate register precisely.

Practice

  1. Rewrite formally using ‘notwithstanding’: ‘Despite the delays, the project finished on budget.’
    Answer: Notwithstanding the delays, the project finished on budget.
  2. Rank from least to most formal: but, despite, notwithstanding, although.
    Answer: but (least formal) < although < despite < notwithstanding (most formal).
  3. Rewrite: ‘The plan worked even though there were problems.’
    Answer: The plan worked notwithstanding several problems.
  4. Where might ‘notwithstanding’ typically appear?
    Answer: Legal documents, formal business reports, and academic writing.

Connect

Read formal/legal-style texts to see notwithstanding used in context.

Try Reading Quiz →

CEFR: Reading — understand long, complex texts written in a highly formal register.

Azizul Hakim
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