but notwithstanding

USAGE SUMMARY

"but notwithstanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that a fact, despite a previous statement, remains true. For example: "The situation is difficult, but notwithstanding, it can be managed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But notwithstanding, Darrow got by in Dayton.

The New Yorker

But Notwithstanding is clearly not intended as a book of profound awakenings: De Bernières's main purpose is to comfort and to charm.

The Guardian - Books

The horizon toward the north was a good deal obscured by haze, but, notwithstanding, Skye was distinctly visible.

Wikipedia

But notwithstanding, selecting a suitable candidate to fit a role well enough could be a daunting task as the selection of each member is vitally important to the progress of your start-up.

HuffPost

No other rheumatology congress except ACR's annual meeting can claim to compete with EULAR but, notwithstanding, the national congresses in the European countries continue to thrive and also to grow.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

But notwithstanding that, people do get on with it, basically".

Independent

But notwithstanding this, it will be interesting to see whether its move starts a trend.

The Economist

But notwithstanding that, this is the worst it's been in my time".

The New York Times

But notwithstanding the poor example offered, the idea is good enough.

The Guardian - Tech

But notwithstanding those winks from earlier in the evening, this really looked like the end.

The Washington Post

But notwithstanding her reverence for the Hudson River School, she infuses that aesthetic with contemporary irony.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but notwithstanding" to introduce a point that qualifies or contrasts with a previous statement, while acknowledging its validity. It's particularly effective when you want to concede a point before presenting a counter-argument.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "but notwithstanding" can sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "but", "however", or "even so" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but notwithstanding" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It serves to introduce a statement that contrasts with or qualifies a preceding statement. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct. Examples provided by Ludwig show its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

21%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but notwithstanding" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that introduces a contrast or qualification to a preceding statement. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, its function is to signal a concession or qualification, indicating that despite the truth or validity of a previous statement, a different or contrasting point is also relevant. While versatile, it leans toward a neutral to formal register and finds common use in news media and academic contexts, as showcased by the examples provided by Ludwig. Although it is technically correct, you could consider more casual replacements, such as "however", "nevertheless" or "despite this" to avoid sounding overly formal in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nevertheless

A more concise and formal alternative, omitting the initial "but".

nonetheless

Similar to "nevertheless", but can sometimes carry a slightly stronger emphasis.

even so

Implies a concession, acknowledging the previous statement but introducing a contrasting point.

all the same

Suggests that despite a previous point, the outcome or situation remains unchanged.

however

A simpler and more common way to introduce a contrasting statement.

despite this

Highlights the contrast between the previous statement and the current one.

in spite of this

Similar to "despite this", emphasizing the contrasting relationship.

that being said

Used to transition to a contrasting point after acknowledging the previous statement.

but even then

Emphasizes the surprising or unexpected nature of the contrasting statement.

yet

A simple conjunction that introduces a contrasting element.

FAQs

How can I use "but notwithstanding" in a sentence?

Use "but notwithstanding" to introduce a contrasting point after acknowledging a previous statement. For example, "The project faced numerous challenges, but notwithstanding, we delivered it on time."

What phrases are similar to "but notwithstanding"?

You can use phrases such as "nevertheless", "however", or "despite this" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always necessary to include 'but' before 'notwithstanding'?

While grammatically correct with or without "but", including "but" emphasizes the contrast more strongly. "Notwithstanding" alone can sound more formal and detached.

What's the difference between "but notwithstanding" and "but nevertheless"?

"But notwithstanding" and "but nevertheless" are very similar, both introducing a contrast. "But notwithstanding" may sound slightly more formal or literary.