be that as it may
21
7.6
- idiom
- Formal
:
no obstante
- The project may be behind schedule; be that as it may, we still need to meet the deadline.
But be that as it may, I really enjoyed spending time with those those dialogues.
- But be that as it may, I really enjoyed spending time with those those dialogues.
- But being be that as it may, I, I actually thoroughly enjoyed King Richard.
Examples
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But still, be that as it may, these are the processes that we need to consider in the final days of this course.
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Well, be that as it may...
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But be that as it may, I want to say not so fast.
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Anyway, be that as it may...
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I think you've missed the point, but be that as it may.
Blog text (22) -
Be that as it may, this problem appears to be more acute in Nigeria.
Academic text (2006) -
Be that as it may, for the moment, let's accept the application to Ellen White.
Blog text (30) -
Be that as it may, however, Andrew and Greg are asking the wrong question.
Blog text (25) -
Be that as it may, back in 1967 I did not complain.
Fiction book (1999) -
But be that as it may, McMillan coached young teams for almost all of his tenure.
Blog text (32)
Synonyms
∞
2.6
Shows a contrast with what was said before
149
3.5
Shows that something happens or is true despite what was said
98
3.3
To say something is true despite what was just said
Whatever is true, it does not change what happens next
Surface Forms
Morphology
The constituent words (be, that, as, it, may) individually signal existence and possibility, and the phrase can be paraphrased as something like "even if that is so" or "that may be true," so there is a clear compositional hint. However, the fixed, somewhat archaic word order and its conventionalized discourse-marker meaning "nevertheless" are formulaic and not fully predictable to a B1 learner who just knows the parts, making the expression partially but not fully transparent.
Etymology
Be that as it may comes from old formal speech where people used the words be and that to mean 'let that be so', a short way to accept a point but then move on. So today it means 'that may be true, but it does not change what follows'.