notwithstanding the difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "notwithstanding the difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or qualifies a previous statement, often indicating that something is true despite challenges or obstacles. Example: "Notwithstanding the difficulty of the task, the team managed to complete the project ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Notwithstanding the difficulty of an organization to classify itself as an "affiliate entity" of LSC, Gozdor argued that there was no real prevention of speech when there were ample alternative means of relaying the message.

Wikipedia

Notwithstanding the difficulty of assessing the generality of the results, due to the fragmentary knowledge about the complete set of cellular LMs, distinct evolutionary patterns were identified.

Plosone

Notwithstanding the difficulty of obtaining primary effectors in large quantities from tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, the present study shows that anti-4-1BB has a much more substantial effect on enhancing granzyme B expression in reactivated memory T cells as compared to its minimal effect on primary effectors (Fig. 4F).

Plosone

Notwithstanding the difficulty of changing eating habits, this study adds further support to the need for targeting in elaborating health and nutrition campaigns.

BMC Public Health

Notwithstanding the difficulty in proving that these candidate regions in fact reflect the action of positive selection (Hernandez et al. 2011), they display an outlier pattern of diversity that is consistent with positive selection and are enriched in true positives.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Notwithstanding the difficulty in drawing any definite conclusions from incomplete evidence and occasionally even contradictory results, recent findings indicate that an early onset of chronic pelvic pain at the time of menarche represents a risk factor for severe endometriosis during adolescence.

Human Reproduction

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Hoppe said, "Notwithstanding the difficulties in negotiating while there is litigation, SMG would be willing to negotiate with a party that has the wherewithal to buy the team".

The New York Times - Sports

Notwithstanding the difficulties in the design process, we're prepared to compensate Libeskind fully for the time that he and his staff put onto working on the Freedom Tower".

The New York Times - Arts

Notwithstanding the difficulties faced in ensuring NSAGs' compliance with humanitarian law, there is growing support for the application of international human rights law to situations of armed conflict, which will be explained in the following section.

Journal of International Humanitarian Action

Notwithstanding the difficulties in defining and measuring quality in HE, there does not appear to be any empirical evidence that supports the assertion that the use of digital technologies improves quality; indeed there are indications that if poorly implemented, they may instead have a detrimental impact on students' learning.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

Notwithstanding the difficulties of teasing apart population size and selection effects on rates of evolution (see above), this is most likely due to the relatively small number of mutational events that occur between closely related samples, making it difficult to achieve a statistically significant number of nucleotide mutations between sequences.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "notwithstanding the difficulty", ensure that the main clause clearly states what is happening despite this difficulty. This clarifies the intended contrast and strengthens the overall message.

Common error

Avoid using "notwithstanding the difficulty" when the difficulty completely negates the possibility of success. The phrase implies that progress or action is still possible, albeit challenging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "notwithstanding the difficulty" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a concessive element. It acknowledges a challenge but indicates that the main point still holds true, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "notwithstanding the difficulty" is a formal prepositional phrase used to acknowledge a challenge while asserting that a statement remains valid. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct, though relatively uncommon. It frequently appears in scientific and formal business contexts. For more informal settings, consider alternatives like "despite the difficulty". When using "notwithstanding the difficulty", ensure the main clause clearly states what is happening despite the obstacle. Steer clear of using it when the stated difficulty makes the main point impossible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despite the difficulty

Replaces "notwithstanding" with "despite", which is a more common and straightforward way to express concession.

in spite of the difficulty

Similar to "despite", "in spite of" offers a slightly more formal alternative.

regardless of the difficulty

Emphasizes that the difficulty does not affect the outcome or decision.

even with the difficulty

Highlights that the difficulty exists concurrently with the main action or statement.

despite the challenges presented by the difficulty

Adds emphasis by explicitly mentioning the challenges arising from the difficulty.

with all the difficulty

This alternative is slightly more informal and conversational.

accepting the difficulty

Focuses on the acceptance of the difficulty as a given condition.

acknowledging the difficulty

Highlights the act of recognizing the difficulty before proceeding.

the difficulty notwithstanding

Inverts the original phrase for a slightly more emphatic or literary effect.

even if it's difficult

Simple and direct restatement, focusing on the conditional aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "notwithstanding the difficulty" in a sentence?

Use "notwithstanding the difficulty" to introduce a statement that remains true despite a challenging circumstance. For example, "Notwithstanding the difficulty of the task, the team persevered and achieved their goals."

What are some alternatives to "notwithstanding the difficulty"?

You can use alternatives like "despite the difficulty", "in spite of the difficulty", or "regardless of the difficulty".

Is "notwithstanding the difficulty" formal or informal?

"Notwithstanding the difficulty" is considered relatively formal. For more informal contexts, consider using alternatives like "even with the difficulty" or "despite the difficulty".

What is the difference between "notwithstanding the difficulty" and "despite the difficulty"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "notwithstanding the difficulty" carries a slightly more formal tone compared to "despite the difficulty". The choice depends on the desired level of formality in your writing.