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Here they are again: Words which sound so much alike, have similar meanings, and everybody uses them. What, then, is the difference?<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s begin with the fact that nonetheless, nevertheless, <\/strong>and notwithstanding <\/strong>are all compound words<\/strong>. This means that you can break the word up into separate words. By doing so, you can find clues to the distinctions, however slight, between the three words.<\/p>\n Compare the words none the less <\/em>with never the less<\/em>. If used as a pronoun<\/strong>, none<\/em> means not one<\/em>, no one, <\/em>or not any<\/em>. Applied as an adverb<\/strong>, it means not at all<\/em>. In either case, the word signifies a physical or metaphysical thing<\/u>. Never<\/em> is an adverb which negates time<\/u>. Viewed this way, one can see a difference.<\/p>\n Now, take it a step further and add to the sentences above.<\/p>\n While they are both adverbs, meaning that they are modifiers<\/strong>, when properly applied, nevertheless <\/em>should be used when referring to an event or situation which either has, is, or may occur. Nonetheless <\/em>should be applied to something which is measurably quantifiable.<\/p>\n Note, also, the structure of the example sentences. Nevertheless<\/em> is used more frequently in the active voice<\/strong>, when the subject of the sentence acts upon the verb. You are more likely to see nonetheless <\/em>as an example of the passive voice<\/strong>, where the subject is receiver of the action.<\/p>\n In common usage, the two words are effectively interchangeable. As with all words, once a meaning becomes universally accepted, there is no going back. At least one dictionary<\/a> defines nonetheless <\/em>as meaning nevertheless<\/em>, adding that the only difference is that nonetheless<\/em> is the more formal usage of the two. Linguistic historians will also note that nevertheless<\/em> appeared in English usage (around 1350), much earlier than nonetheless<\/em>, about two centuries later.<\/p>\n In contrast, notwithstanding <\/em>is a compound<\/strong> preposition, <\/strong>formed by prefixing a preposition with a noun, adverb, or adjective. You\u2019ll often see it as part of a prepositional phrase<\/strong>. It is commonly interchangeable with the word despite<\/em>, or the phrase, \u201cin spite of\u2026<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n Like the other two, notwithstanding<\/em> is likely to be used in more formal discourse. You\u2019ll often find it in legal settings.<\/p>\n So\u2026<\/p>\n Notwithstanding<\/strong> the similarities among the three words, you\u2019ll probably nevertheless <\/strong>use one more frequently than the other, which is nonetheless<\/strong> more formal.<\/p>\n\n
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