ungeachtet

Regardless of (Ungeachtet)

Level 5

ungeachtet is a formal way to say 'regardless of' or 'despite.' It is primarily used in academic, legal, or journalistic contexts to show that a specific factor is being ignored or set aside.

How It Works

1. Usage and Meaning
The word ungeachtet literally means 'not-regarded.' It signals that a decision or action is happening independently of a certain circumstance. While similar to trotz, it carries a more deliberate nuance of 'leaving something out of account.'

2. Grammatical Case

  • Prepositional (Standard): When it comes before the noun, it governs the genitive case (e.g., ungeachtet des Regens).
  • Postpositional (Elevated): When it follows the noun, it can govern either the genitive or the dative case (e.g., allen Warnungen ungeachtet). This is considered very formal or slightly archaic.

3. Fixed Phrases
A very common adverbial use is dessen ungeachtet, which means 'regardless of that' or 'nevertheless.' It is used to refer back to a previously mentioned fact.

4. Subjunction Pattern
To use it with a full clause, it is most commonly paired with 'der Tatsache' or 'dessen': ungeachtet der Tatsache, dass... or ungeachtet dessen, dass... (regardless of the fact that...). In very formal or older texts, you may occasionally see it used as a standalone subjunction (ungeachtet dass...).

Examples (4)

  1. Ungeachtet der hohen Kosten entschied sich die Firma für die Expansion.

    Regardless of the high costs, the company decided to expand.

    Word by Word: Regardless the high costs decided itself the company for the expansion.

    Here, 'ungeachtet' is a preposition followed by the genitive 'der hohen Kosten'.

  2. Allen Warnungen ungeachtet setzte er seine Reise fort.

    Disregarding all warnings, he continued his journey.

    Word by Word: All warnings regardless set he his journey further.

    This shows the postpositional use where 'ungeachtet' follows the noun phrase 'allen Warnungen' (dative).

  3. Dessen ungeachtet blieb die Stimmung bei der Verhandlung sachlich.

    Regardless of that, the atmosphere during the negotiation remained objective.

    Word by Word: Of-that regardless remained the mood at the negotiation objective.

    'Dessen ungeachtet' is a fixed adverbial phrase used to transition between sentences.

  4. Ungeachtet der Tatsache, dass es regnete, gingen wir spazieren.

    Regardless of the fact that it was raining, we went for a walk.

    Word by Word: Regardless the fact, that it rained, went we walking.

    This demonstrates how to use 'ungeachtet' to introduce a subordinate clause using 'der Tatsache, dass'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the dative case in the prepositional position.

    ungeachtet dem schlechten Wetter
    ungeachtet des schlechten Wetters

    While 'trotz' often accepts the dative in spoken German, 'ungeachtet' is so formal that using anything other than the genitive (when used as a preposition) is considered a stylistic error.

  • Confusing 'ungeachtet' with 'unbeachtet'.

    Die Warnung blieb ungeachtet.
    Die Warnung blieb unbeachtet.

    'Ungeachtet' is a preposition/postposition (regardless of). 'Unbeachtet' is an adjective meaning 'unnoticed' or 'ignored'.

How It Connects

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

ungeachtetLevel 5Regardless of (Ungeachtet)

Learn This First

To use 'ungeachtet' correctly, you must be familiar with the genitive case system, including how articles change and how masculine/neuter nouns take specific endings. It is a formal preposition that functions similarly to other genitive prepositions like 'während' or 'trotz'.

Words in This Pattern

ungeachtet