Complex Prepositions — Concession, Disregard & Defiance (C2)

Widespread shareholder opposition ___, the board approved the merger at this morning's emergency session.

despitenotwithstandingregardless ofirrespective of

Correct answer: notwithstanding

The 2019 cross-border statute provides that the judgment shall be enforced ___ the defendant's place of residence at the time of the alleged offence.

despiteirrespective ofnotwithstandingmuch as

Correct answer: irrespective of

The negotiating team eventually reached a settlement ___ having been at an impasse for the previous six weeks.

despitealthougheven thoughin spite

Correct answer: despite

___ I admire her dedication to academic research, I cannot in good conscience endorse her appointment to a role demanding extensive administrative judgement.

DespiteNotwithstandingMuch asIrrespective of

Correct answer: Much as

The small republic stood firm ___ unprecedented diplomatic pressure to abandon its constitutional position on neutrality.

despiteregardless ofnotwithstandingin the face of

Correct answer: in the face of

___ a High Court injunction expressly forbidding any public assembly, the protest organisers proceeded with the rally outside Parliament.

DespiteIn spite ofIn defiance ofNotwithstanding

Correct answer: In defiance of

The new compliance training will be compulsory for all members of staff ___ they hold permanent or fixed-term contracts.

regardless of whethernotwithstanding the factirrespectivedespite

Correct answer: regardless of whether

___ everything the prime minister has said to the contrary in recent weeks, the rumour about a snap election is gaining traction across Westminster.

For allMuch asNotwithstandingIn spite of

Correct answer: In spite of

___ the provisions of section 4(2) of the principal Act, no penalty shall be imposed where the disclosure was made within fourteen days of discovery.

DespiteNotwithstandingIrrespective ofRegardless of

Correct answer: Notwithstanding

___ her formidable academic reputation and three decades of teaching experience, she struggled to maintain the attention of even her most engaged undergraduates.

DespiteNotwithstandingIrrespective ofFor all

Correct answer: For all

The contractor delivered the building on schedule, ___ at a cost that exceeded the original tender by some twenty per cent.

despitenotwithstandingalbeitirrespective of

Correct answer: albeit

Membership of the professional body is open to all candidates ___ academic background, provided they pass the qualifying examination at first attempt.

in spite ofnotwithstanding ofdespite ofregardless of

Correct answer: regardless of

The court found the contract enforceable, ___ the buyer had not signed the final addendum at the time of delivery.

notwithstanding the fact thatdespitefor allmuch as

Correct answer: notwithstanding the fact that

Her presentation was rigorous, well-structured, and entirely original; ___ all that, the funding committee remained unconvinced.

despiteregardlessformuch as

Correct answer: for

The board pushed through the controversial restructuring ___ unanimous opposition from the staff council, which had been granted a formal consultative role under the company's own governance charter.

in defiance ofin the face ofregardless offor all

Correct answer: in defiance of