however

however — adverb

1. Precedes an adjective or an adverb in a sentence where the speaker says a situat

1.adverbB1
Definition

Precedes an adjective or an adverb in a sentence where the speaker says a situation stays true regardless of degree or amount.

Example

However hard Eitan trained, he never managed to beat his older sister at chess.

however + adj (hard) + subject + verb pattern

You should apply for the scholarship, however small your chance of getting it seems.

however + adj in concessive clause after comma

Common collocations
  • however + adjective (however hard, however small, however long)
  • however + adverb (however carefully, however quickly)
Synonyms
  • no matter how

    more common in everyday speech; interchangeable with 'however' in this sense

  • regardless of how

    slightly more formal, often emphasises determination

Grammar Patterns

However + [adj/adv] + [subject] + [verb]

Usage Note

The clause that contains 'however' (the concessive clause) can appear at the beginning or the end of the sentence. When it comes first, the main clause follows a comma. The adjective or adverb must come immediately after 'however'.

Common Mistakes

However he tried, he failed.
However hard he tried, he failed.
When using 'however' to mean 'to whatever degree,' an adjective or adverb must follow immediately. Without it, the sentence is grammatically incomplete.

2. Used in questions to express strong surprise, disbelief, or bewilderment about h

2.adverbB2
Definition

Used in questions to express strong surprise, disbelief, or bewilderment about how something happened or could be true.

Example

However did Sahil manage to finish the entire marathon in under three hours?

however + did + subject + verb for surprise question

However did Aylin find her lost ring in that huge park?

Common collocations
  • however did
  • however could
  • however + [past tense verb]
Synonyms
  • how on earth

    similar level of surprise, more common in British English

  • how in the world

    common in both US and UK English; clearer than 'however' for this sense

Grammar Patterns

However + did/could + subject + verb?

Usage Note

Restricted to questions. In formal writing, 'how in the world' or 'how on earth' are preferred over 'however' for this sense because 'however' at the start of a question can confuse readers expecting the concessive meaning.

Common Mistakes

However did he that?' (missing verb after subject).
However did he do that?
The subject must be followed by a main verb.

3. Refers to the manner or method of doing something, saying that the result does n

3.adverbB2
Definition

Refers to the manner or method of doing something, saying that the result does not depend on which particular way is chosen.

Example

Adina sets up the exhibition booth however the organizers instruct.

however + subject + verb for method/manner

However you decorate the hall, leave enough space for the band.

however + subject + verb at start of sentence

Common collocations
  • however + subject + choose
  • however + subject + want
  • however + subject + like
Synonyms
  • no matter how

    more conversational; the preferred form in everyday speech

  • whichever way

    more specific to method/choice rather than manner

Grammar Patterns

However + subject + verb

Usage Note

Closely related to sense 1 (TO WHATEVER DEGREE): the difference is that sense 1 focuses on quantity or degree, while sense 3 focuses on method or manner. In many sentences the two overlap — 'however you do it' can mean both 'no matter how carefully' (degree) and 'no matter which method' (manner).

4. Links two ideas by presenting the second one as different, opposite, or unexpect

4.adverbB1
Definition

Links two ideas by presenting the second one as different, opposite, or unexpected in light of the first — similar to 'but' but placed more flexibly within the sentence.

Example

The restaurant had a long wait. However, Soraya got a table for Friday night.

However + comma at start of sentence

Élise had studied hard for weeks. Her test results, however, were disappointing.

mid-sentence position with commas on both sides

Synonyms
  • nevertheless

    more formal and emphatic; often used in academic writing

  • nonetheless

    very similar to 'nevertheless'; slightly less common

  • but

    less formal; cannot appear mid-sentence; used in everyday speech

  • yet

    slightly more formal than 'but'; carries a nuance of something unexpected

Antonyms
  • similarly

    introduces a parallel point rather than a contrast

  • likewise

    shows agreement or similarity instead of contrast

Grammar Patterns

[Statement]. However, [contrasting statement].

[Statement]. [Subject], however, [verb].

Usage Note

Comma placement is essential: when 'however' begins a sentence, place a comma after it ('However, ...'). When it appears mid-sentence, put a comma before and after it ('..., however, ...'). Do NOT use 'however' to join two independent clauses with only a comma — that creates a comma splice. Use a semicolon or start a new sentence instead: ❌ 'I was tired, however I kept working.' ✅ 'I was tired. However, I kept working.' ✅ 'I was tired; however, I kept working.' This sense is more formal than 'but' — in casual conversation, 'but' is preferred.

Common Mistakes

He was sick, however he went to work.' (comma splice).
He was sick. However, he went to work.' or 'He was sick; however, he went to work.
'However' is not a coordinating conjunction and cannot join two clauses with just a comma.
However, I like coffee. However, I don't like tea.' (overuse).
I like coffee. However, I don't like tea.
Use 'however' once to introduce the contrast; repeating it sounds unnatural.

however — conjunction

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/4

All four words introduce contrast, but they differ in formality, position, and emphasis. 'However' is the most flexible: it can open a sentence, sit mid-sentence between commas, or close a sentence. It is common in both formal and informal writing. 'Nevertheless' and 'nonetheless' are more formal and carry stronger emphasis — they signal that the contrast is significant or surprising, and that the second statement holds true despite the first. 'Nevertheless' is slightly more common than 'nonetheless.' 'But' is the most frequent and least formal; it must begin the clause it introduces and cannot move around in the sentence. 'Yet' sits between 'but' and 'however' in formality and often implies that the contrast is unexpected. Example: 'The forecast called for rain. However, we decided to hike anyway.' vs 'The forecast called for rain, but we went hiking.' vs 'The forecast called for rain. Nevertheless, we refused to cancel our plans.' vs 'The forecast called for rain, yet we still went.' In Taiwan English exams (e.g., the GSAT writing section), 'however' and 'nevertheless' are preferred for essay transitions, while 'but' is considered too casual for formal paragraphs.

nevertheless ↗nonetheless ↗but ↗yet ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • however + [noun phrase] (however many + noun)
  • however + [quantifier] (however much, however little)

Adverbs

  • however + carefully
  • however + quickly
  • however + slowly
  • however + much

Phrases

  • However + [adj/adv] + [subject] + [verb]
  • [Sentence]. However, [sentence].
  • [Subject], however, [verb].

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

Formed in late Middle English (14th century) by combining the adverb 'how' (from Old English 'hū', meaning 'in what way or manner') with 'ever' (from Old English 'ǣfre', meaning 'at any time'). The compound originally carried only the 'in whatever manner' meaning. By the 16th century, it had developed the concessive 'despite this' sense, becoming a key device for expressing contrast in formal English prose.