What is the part of speech of "notwithstanding" he

Aupie   Tue Oct 31, 2006 1:03 am GMT
The many advantages to be had by this method notwithstanding,there are problems.
What is the part of speech of "notwithstanding" here? Can it be placed at the end of a noun phrase? I prefer to have the above sentence written this way:
Notwithstanding the many advantages to be had by this method, there are problems.
Guest   Wed Nov 01, 2006 6:33 am GMT
Why not just use "despite" for "notwithstanding" here, and avoid all the problems?
greg   Wed Nov 01, 2006 8:49 am GMT
La forme anglaise <notwithstanding> est un calque direct de l'ancien français (ou indirect via le latin).

AF <nonobstant> <non obstant> : adjectif, préposition, locution conjonctive (<nononstant que...>), adverbe et locution adverbiale (<ce nonobstant...>).

La <nonobstans> —> <non> <ob> <stare>.

Fr <nonobstant> : même fonctions grammaticales que l'ancien français.

Forme vétérofrançaises disparues en français moderne et inconnues de l'anglais : Fr <nonobstance> & <nonobstanté>.

An <notwithstanding> peut être un adverbe (ou locution adverbiale avec <that>), une locution conjonctive ou encore une préposition.
Cow   Wed Nov 01, 2006 3:22 pm GMT
Why not just say: "This method would provide several advantages but would also have its own set of problems." This would make it much clearer and easier to read.