Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
to confirm to be true; to authorize
mollify
invent
satisfy
certify
TOEIC vocab test: Free word games: Online Verbs Game Answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

Using the word notwithstanding



 
ESL/EFL Worksheets and Handouts for Students Printable, photocopiable, clearly structured
Designed for teachers and individual learners
For use in a classroom, at home, on your PC
ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
Large versus Big | 'a good few' = 'a good many'?
Message Author
Using the word notwithstanding Sun Aug 06, 2006 13:36 pm  Using the word notwithstanding
 

Hi

Could you characterize 'proper context(s)' for using the word notwithstanding?

With what I came across was The-Very-Formal-Text with the sentence:

(v) It is not responsible for ensuring that Members follow the terms and conditions notwithstanding these terms and conditions outline behaviour that is unacceptable on the service;

In an example from my dictionary:
Notwithstanding their lack of experience, they were an immediate success.
notwithstanding = 'despite' or 'in spite of'

and also can used in the meaning 'although' or 'regardless of'.

notwithstanding = not+with+standing
Logical. OK.

I'd like to learn this, new for me, word.
But would it sound/ look strange if I put it in informal speaking or writing?

Tamara
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…
Tamara
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 1577
Location: UK

Notwithstanding Sun Aug 06, 2006 13:47 pm  Notwithstanding
 

Hi Tamara,

This is a kind of rhetorical word and has a certain gravitas about it. In military descriptions you would read: Notwithstanding the serious danger in which he found himself Corporal Smith continued to stay at his post. I think it's a bit of a no-no in informal speech/writing.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Good Bye Summer
Alan
Co-founder
Alan Townend

Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 7278
Location: UK

In this story you'll learn how to use the English articlesSign up for FREE and explore English! Click to subscribe to email English courseAre you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!English grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skills
Gravitas? :) Sun Aug 06, 2006 14:25 pm  Gravitas? :)
 

Thank you, Alan.

By the way, could you explain the meaning of 'gravitas' - the word you used.
My dictionary refused to help me to understand it.

Wikipedia's explanation
Quote:
Gravitas is a Latin noun that, as a modern loanword, conveys a sense of substance or depth of personality.

In an ancient Roman context, the word gravitas communicated a sense of dignity, seriousness, and duty. Gravitas is one of the several virtues that Ancient Roman society expected men to possess, along with pietas and dignitas.

In recent years this word suddenly went into and then out of vogue with news reporters on the national level, sprinkled into every other news story.

Gravitas should not be confused with gravity, the force of attraction between masses.

is also rather vague for me, especially in the above context.
has a certain gravitas
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…
Tamara
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 1577
Location: UK

Gravitas? :) Sun Aug 06, 2006 16:45 pm  Gravitas? :)
 

Hi Tamara,

I think "gravitas" here is a formal word meaning "solemnity".

K
Van Khanh
I'm here quite often ;-)


Joined: 24 Jul 2006
Posts: 324
Location: Ho Chi Minh-City, Viet Nam

Using the word notwithstanding Sun Aug 06, 2006 17:31 pm  Using the word notwithstanding
 

Hi Tamara

This online dictionary might also be helpful:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/gravitas

Amy
_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 7464
Location: Northeast US

Gravitas Mon Aug 07, 2006 0:00 am  Gravitas
 

Hi Tamara,

Gravitas means simply seriousness.

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Phrasal Verbs/go
Alan
Co-founder
Alan Townend

Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 7278
Location: UK

Using the word notwithstanding Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:22 am  Using the word notwithstanding
 

Hi

Thank you all. Now, I hope, I've got it.
Tamara
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…
Tamara
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 1577
Location: UK

Display posts from previous:   
Large versus Big | 'a good few' = 'a good many'?
ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms Using the word notwithstanding All times are GMT + 2 Hours
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on English Forums
Role of "it" in the sentenceUsing gerundMeaning of "descriptive prose"Meaning of "talk"In the morning versus This morningAbbreviations: Mister versus Mr., Mrs., MsNames (middle, first and last name)Words on CNN (Putting news first...)Pronouncing /d/ versus /t/ (e.g. word Fifty)Real subject vs Empty subjectExpression: You give me a turn up...Expression: Was it a pigeon that fell..."I hate him joke" vs "I hate him joking"Pronunciation of the word "Champion"Expression: Treason is but trusted like the fox, who...'take it easy' versus 'don’t hurry'Drinkers: alcoholic, drunkard, inebriate, boozer, sot...Grant vs GrantingUsing the word notwithstanding

Discover English-test.net
Idiom: I feel it in my bonesmeaning of "swallow his pride"I'm way too cool for ya boyadverbs of manner and verbs of the sensesASVAB verbal word list: Vocabulary Websites: Adjective ListASVAB prep test: Word games free: Online Adjectives GameDefine potential, bland, bizarre, benevolentParts of speech game: List of noun verb adjectiveFree ESL Quiz Online: English tense explanations (2)Survive: Stories of Castaways and Cannibals audiobook download

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Subscribe to FREE email English course written by Alan Townend
First name E-mail