nonobstant

Notwithstanding with Nonobstant

Level 6

Nonobstant is a high-register term used primarily in legal, administrative, and literary French. It functions like a formal version of en dépit de or malgré (despite).

How It Works

1. Usage as a Preposition
In its most common form, nonobstant precedes a noun phrase. It is highly formal and often stilted, restricted to legal or administrative contexts to show that a specific rule does not stop a procedure.
Example: Nonobstant les objections... (Notwithstanding the objections...)

2. Usage as a Conjunction
When followed by que, it introduces a subordinate clause. In modern French, this construction is considered archaic or strictly literary and is almost always replaced by bien que or quoique.
Example: Nonobstant qu'il soit tard... (Notwithstanding that it is late...)

3. Usage as an Adverb
Though increasingly rare (often replaced by néanmoins), it can stand alone, sometimes as ce nonobstant, to mean 'nevertheless'.

4. Register and Context
This is a Level 6 pattern because it is strictly limited to:

  • Legal French: Contracts and court rulings (e.g., nonobstant toute disposition contraire).
  • Literary French: High-level academic or philosophical writing.
  • Canadian Politics: Referring to the 'Notwithstanding Clause' (la clause dérogatoire or formally, la disposition de dérogation).

Examples (5)

  1. Le jugement est exécutoire par provision, nonobstant appel.

    The judgment is provisionally enforceable, notwithstanding any appeal.

    Word by Word: The judgment is enforceable by provision, notwithstanding appeal.

    This is a classic legal formula indicating that the court's decision must be carried out even if a party appeals.

  2. Nonobstant toute clause contraire, le présent contrat prend effet immédiatement.

    Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, this contract takes effect immediately.

    Word by Word: Notwithstanding all clause contrary, the present contract takes effect immediately.

    This is the most common fixed phrase in legal French, used to ensure a specific rule overrides other parts of a document.

  3. Nonobstant le mauvais temps, la cérémonie fut maintenue dans les jardins.

    Notwithstanding the bad weather, the ceremony was held in the gardens.

    Word by Word: Notwithstanding the bad weather, the ceremony was maintained in the gardens.

    In a literary context, 'nonobstant' replaces 'malgré' to elevate the tone of the sentence.

  4. Il a maintenu sa position, nonobstant qu'on l'eût prévenu des risques.

    He maintained his position, notwithstanding that he had been warned of the risks.

    Word by Word: He has maintained his position, notwithstanding that one him had warned of the risks.

    Here, 'nonobstant que' is used as an archaic literary conjunction with the pluperfect subjunctive for an extremely formal effect.

  5. Nonobstant ses efforts constants, le projet n'a pas abouti.

    Despite his constant efforts, the project did not succeed.

    Word by Word: Notwithstanding his efforts constant, the project has not succeeded.

    Used as a preposition followed directly by a noun phrase (ses efforts constants).

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'nonobstant' in casual conversation.

    Nonobstant la pluie, je vais au supermarché.
    Malgré la pluie, je vais au supermarché.

    Using 'nonobstant' for everyday tasks sounds stilted or archaic. Stick to 'malgré' for standard speech.

  • Using 'nonobstant que' in modern formal writing.

    Nonobstant qu'il soit malade, il travaille.
    Bien qu'il soit malade, il travaille.

    While grammatically correct, 'nonobstant que' is considered archaic. Use bien que or quoique in modern formal French.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

nonobstantLevel 6Notwithstanding with Nonobstant

Learn This First

Nonobstant is a highly formal preposition meaning 'notwithstanding' or 'despite'. To understand its use, a learner should already be familiar with standard ways to express concession (like 'en dépit de') and be comfortable with the formal register of French where such archaic or legalistic terms appear.

Words in This Pattern

nonobstantnonobstant