notwithstanding despite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "notwithstanding despite" is not correct and is redundant in written English.
You can use "notwithstanding" or "despite" individually to indicate contrast or concession, but using both together is unnecessary. Example: "Notwithstanding the challenges, we completed the project on time."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Unless by Carol Shields 224pp, Fourth Estate, £16.99 The chapter headings of Carol Shields's new novel take the form of prepositions and conjunctions - Notwithstanding, Despite, Whatever, etc.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Angry e-mails and letters notwithstanding, and despite the weak economy, Mr. Page said 2011 was one of the best in the company's history.

The New York Times

Yet, despite the high prevalence and incidence, and notwithstanding the significant effects on speech communication, social participation, personal well-being, quality of life, and cognitive decline [ 6– 8], hearing loss in adults is still largely underdetected and undertreated [ 9, 10].

BioMed Research International

However, despite the studies distinguishing lobular from ductal carcinomas, and notwithstanding the advancements in high-throughput technology, there is currently no accepted genomic signature specific for ILC.

Breast Cancer Research

The chapter headings are each the little 'subjunctive minerals you carry along in your pocket crease', the words - 'Despite' and 'Notwithstanding' and 'Yet' - that make the syntax of an existence hang together.

The Guardian - Books

Notwithstanding this barrage, and despite losing five officers and 80 grenadiers before firing a shot, de la Colonie insisted his French regiment stayed at their post, determined as he was to maintain discipline and ensure his troops would be in good order when called into action.

Wikipedia

Notwithstanding, the Ontario government, despite its general austerity drive, is resolved to phase in all-day kindergarten for 3 5 year olds by 2015, confronting various claims that it cannot afford to do so in the aftermath of the Great Recession and amidst stagnating federal transfers.

Globalization and Health

That assertion notwithstanding, legal experts believe that despite his convictions, Manafort still likely holds information that would be valuable to Mueller's team.

Huffington Post

Despite this desire, and notwithstanding numerous high-level meetings between the governments of Bhutan and Nepal to resolve the refugee crisis over the past 20 years, Bhutan has not permitted any refugee to return home.

Alcohol and Alcoholism

Despite the happy Dow and notwithstanding the upbeat corporate earnings, most corporations are still shedding workers and slashing payrolls.

Huffington Post

Despite what Standard & Poor's says, notwithstanding what's occurring in Europe, and regardless of U.S. budget projections years from now -- our current crisis is jobs, wages, and growth.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "notwithstanding" and "despite" together as they are redundant. Choose one based on the desired formality and context.

Common error

Don't combine "notwithstanding" and "despite". This creates an unnecessary and grammatically awkward construction. Select the single word that best fits your sentence's meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "notwithstanding despite" functions as a conjunction attempting to show contrast or concession. However, because it combines two words with nearly identical meanings, it creates a redundant expression. Ludwig AI identifies this as an incorrect usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "notwithstanding despite" is grammatically incorrect because it combines two words with similar meanings, resulting in redundancy. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. While both "notwithstanding" and "despite" can be used individually to express concession or contrast, using them together is unnecessary and detracts from clarity. It's best to choose one or the other, or opt for alternative phrases such as "in spite of" or "regardless of", depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despite that

Replaces the entire phrase with a simpler and more direct expression of contrast.

notwithstanding that

Uses "notwithstanding" alone to convey concession, avoiding the redundancy.

in spite of that

Offers a common and straightforward alternative to express concession.

regardless of that

Indicates that something happens without being affected by something else.

even so

Provides a concise way to introduce a contrasting point.

all the same

Similar to "even so", indicating that something remains true despite what has been said.

nevertheless

A formal way to introduce a statement that contrasts with or overrides something said before.

however

A common transitional word to show contrast.

even though

Introduces a subordinate clause that expresses a contrast.

although

Similar to "even though", but can be used in a wider range of contexts.

FAQs

Is it correct to use "notwithstanding despite" in a sentence?

No, using "notwithstanding despite" is incorrect. Both words convey a similar meaning, making the phrase redundant. Use either "notwithstanding" or "despite" individually.

What does "notwithstanding" mean?

"Notwithstanding" means in spite of or despite. It's used to indicate that something does not prevent something else from being true or happening.

How can I rephrase a sentence that includes "notwithstanding despite"?

To correct a sentence using "notwithstanding despite", choose either word. For example, instead of "Notwithstanding despite the rain, we went for a walk", use "Despite the rain, we went for a walk" or "Notwithstanding the rain, we went for a walk".

Are there more formal alternatives to "despite"?

Yes, a more formal alternative to "despite" is "notwithstanding". However, avoid using them together.