notwithstanding what

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "notwithstanding what" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to introduce a statement that contrasts with or qualifies what has been previously mentioned. Example: "Notwithstanding what was said earlier, the decision stands." Alternative expressions include "regardless of what," "despite what," and "in spite of what."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Notwithstanding what it sounds like, MSCI was not offering a compliment to the poor Greeks.

The New York Times

The myth of the American G.I. notwithstanding, what difference would an American intervention make?

The New York Times

The occasional clunk notwithstanding, what Chabon does really successfully is conjure up a seedy atmosphere.

The Guardian - Music

"The good jobs notwithstanding, what people remember and what you hear about are the bad experiences".

The New York Times

The alphabet notwithstanding, what ties this book together is Hopkinson's singular affection for food.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Notwithstanding what they might have said during the selection process, they do have sometimes triggered memories about those kinds of things".

The New York Times

Their 2-15 start notwithstanding, what has all but ruined the Nets' season has been their inability to play consistently at or near their highest level.

The New York Times - Sports

Heroic efforts by rescuers notwithstanding, what almost every image from the hurricane revealed was how isolated -- how marooned -- it had left its victims.

The New York Times

The transitional federal government … exerted every humanly possible effort to bring you back to your loved ones and notwithstanding what you went through".

The Guardian

As our discussion neared 90 minutes, I started to think, celebrity nonsense notwithstanding, what if Scientology's basic method really does produce clarity of mind?

The New York Times

And, the title of the proceedings notwithstanding, what female could resist a massive vintage Vuitton trunk, its black and red stripes still extant, which was sold to someone of unspecified gender for a substantial $14,600?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the clause following "what" is a complete noun phrase or relative clause to maintain grammatical flow

Common error

Avoid following a clause starting with "notwithstanding what" with words like "however" or "but" later in the same sentence. Since the initial phrase already establishes the concession, adding another contrastive connector creates a logical redundancy that clutters the prose

Linguistic Context

The phrase "notwithstanding what" acts as a complex prepositional phrase that introduces a noun clause. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as a concessive marker, allowing the writer to acknowledge an external factor or statement while asserting that it does not negate the primary claim.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Social Media

2%

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "notwithstanding what" is a highly effective and sophisticated tool for introducing contrast in formal English. Ludwig AI reveals its widespread use in authoritative news sources and academic circles, confirming its status as a robust choice for professional writers. It provides a more elevated tone than common alternatives like "despite what", making it ideal for editorials, legal summaries, and scholarly essays. When using this phrase, remember to place it strategically to highlight the tension between the acknowledged fact and the resulting conclusion. By avoiding redundant connectors and ensuring structural clarity, you can leverage "notwithstanding what" to produce more persuasive and polished prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regardless of what

Slightly less formal and widely used in both speech and writing

despite what

A more concise alternative that fits a wider variety of registers

in spite of what

Carries slightly more emotional or emphatic weight than the query

irrespective of what

Adds a technical or legalistic tone to the concession

notwithstanding the fact that

A more wordy and explicit version of the same logical connector

no matter what

More informal and often implies a sense of absolute defiance

even with what

Focuses more on the existence of a condition rather than a logical concession

notwithstanding that

Introduces a full independent clause instead of a noun clause

be that as it may

Functions as a standalone transition rather than a clause introductory phrase

granted what

Emphasizes the admission of a point before moving to a counter-argument

FAQs

How do I use "notwithstanding what" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce a contrasting fact, such as: ""Notwithstanding what" the critics said, the film was a massive box office success".

What can I say instead of "notwithstanding what"?

Common alternatives include "regardless of what", "despite what", or "in spite of what".

Is "notwithstanding what" too formal for an email?

It may be perceived as overly stiff in a casual internal email. For professional correspondence, "despite what" is often a more natural-sounding choice.

What is the difference between "notwithstanding what" and "notwithstanding that"?

"Notwithstanding what" is followed by a relative clause (e.g., "what he said"), whereas "notwithstanding that" is typically followed by a full subject-verb clause (e.g., "that he was tired").