notwithstanding its appearance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "notwithstanding its appearance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is true or valid despite how it may seem or look on the surface. Example: "Notwithstanding its appearance, the old building is structurally sound and has been well-maintained over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Notwithstanding its increasingly shopworn appearance and the evident limitations of its serpentine gallery arrangement, the new Tate still tops the local fashion chart.

The New York Times - Arts

We talk about its appearance, its texture.

Huffington Post

(Notwithstanding its title, the piece was approximately 55 minutes long).

The New York Times - Magazine

Dietland's structural oddities notwithstanding, its message resonates.

The Guardian - Books

Notwithstanding its historical reputation, Mr. Daggett's union has grown tamer since its 1977 walkout.

The New York Times

Notwithstanding its diplomatic rhetoric, Iran is on its course, for better or worse.

The New York Times

Notwithstanding its problems, the applied framework proved valuable in evaluating and guiding future land use.

Ecosystem Services

NOTWITHSTANDING its ambitious title, this is, on the whole, a satisfactory book.

Nature

Notwithstanding its limitation, this study does suggest that WNCP can be solved faster.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Notwithstanding its tax woes, FC Barcelona is thought to be worth $3.16 billion.

Forbes

Notwithstanding its contorted syntax, the bill may sound reasonable.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "notwithstanding its appearance" to introduce a surprising or unexpected truth that contradicts the initial impression. This can add depth and intrigue to your writing.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "notwithstanding its appearance" can sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "despite its look" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "notwithstanding its appearance" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a clause by introducing a condition or concession. It sets up a contrast between outward appearance and underlying reality, indicating that something is true despite what it may seem.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "notwithstanding its appearance" serves to introduce a contrast between the apparent and the actual. While grammatically correct, as Ludwig AI confirms, its formality makes it more suitable for professional and academic writing than casual conversation. Consider simpler alternatives like "despite its look" in informal settings. The phrase aims to preempt misjudgments based on surface-level observations by highlighting underlying truths.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

notwithstanding its presentation

Very similar to the main query, using the word 'presentation' instead of 'appearance'.

despite how it looks

Focuses on the visual aspect, suggesting a contrast between looks and reality.

in spite of its look

Similar to 'despite how it looks', but with a slightly different phrasing.

regardless of its looks

Emphasizes that the appearance does not matter.

even though it looks like

Highlights the contrast between appearance and reality using 'even though'.

despite its outward form

Emphasizes the external aspect of the object in question.

irrespective of its presentation

Focuses on the manner in which something is presented.

appearance to the contrary

Implies the existence of information which contrasts an apparent state of things.

regardless of its facade

Uses 'facade' to emphasize the deceptive nature of the appearance.

surface impressions aside

This suggests ignoring initial impressions based on looks.

FAQs

What does "notwithstanding its appearance" mean?

It means that something is true or valid despite how it may look or seem on the surface. It introduces a contrast between appearance and reality.

What can I say instead of "notwithstanding its appearance"?

You can use alternatives like "despite how it looks", "in spite of its look", or "regardless of its looks", depending on the context.

Is "notwithstanding its appearance" formal or informal?

It is generally considered a more formal expression. In informal contexts, phrases like "despite its look" or "even though it looks like" might be more appropriate.

How can I use "notwithstanding its appearance" in a sentence?

You can use it to preface a statement that contrasts with an initial perception. For example, "Notwithstanding its appearance, the old building is structurally sound".