<p>I’m just wrapping up my essay for the Princeton supplement on an influential person, and need some insight into the propriety of ending with a mild curse word. </p>
<p>In essence, I’m discussing a friend with Down Syndrome who was able to overcome his limitations through sincere, unadulterated friendship. Here is my final sentence: </p>
<p>“And if Patrick can make it through the merciless rigors of secondary education, I sincerely have no doubt that he can do just about anything, Down Syndrome be damned.” </p>
<p>Is that swear considered appropriate, or should I change it?</p>
<p>I’m really not a course person at all (I swear rarely, if ever), so I don’t that to be the perception. I just wanted a strong ending that would stick with the reader. </p>
<p>Could you think of another way of conveying the same thought without any profanity? I’ve been thinking “Down Syndrome notwithstanding” but I dont think its nearly as powerful.</p>
<p>I think it works. Using damned doesn’t make you seem coarse in my view – it’s more of an expression than anything else.</p>
<p>Context in any essay is extremely important. Had your use of the word damn be something like “Damn these idiots …” I would be inclined to call you coarse. But “damned” in this instance is hardly a swear at all. </p>