Nevertheless

USAGE SUMMARY

"Nevertheless" is an acceptable and commonly used word in written English.
It is used to express a contrast especially when introducing a statement that is different to the one that was just made. For example, "The students did not like the project, nevertheless they worked hard to complete it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nevertheless, Behind the Candelabra screened as a competition entry at the Cannes film festival in May, and later debuted in UK cinemas.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Nevertheless, that cannot in any way spoil my pleasure in being here today".

The Guardian

"Nevertheless, stretch yourself.

The Guardian

Nevertheless, she adds, "we do know of many cases of men and boys being raped".

The Guardian

Nevertheless, my health has deteriorated to the point that only 20% of my lungs now work and my lung capacity has shrunk to less than the size of two Coke cans.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

An open and comprehensive approach is nevertheless urgently needed, along with a moratorium on new bilateral or unilateral changes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nevertheless, western governments did little once the scale of massacres were dialled down to a lower, but still savage, intensity.

The Guardian

It is known for taking an experimental approach that is nevertheless rooted in the culinary tradition of the region.

The Guardian

"I do want housing to be affordable, but nevertheless I also want house prices to be modestly increasing".

The Guardian

Some will argue that it is nevertheless better to have one magnificent teacher working with 40 children than a lacklustre one working with 20.

The Guardian

Nevertheless, Moore is riding a spectacular wave of success.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your context; "Nevertheless" is suitable for both formal and semi-formal writing.

Common error

Avoid overuse; excessive repetition can make your writing sound monotonous. Vary your transitions with synonyms like "however", "nonetheless", or "even so".

Linguistic Context

Nevertheless functions as an adverbial conjunction. It connects two clauses or sentences, indicating a contrast or concession. Ludwig examples show it introducing a statement that contrasts with or qualifies a previous one, often used to acknowledge a point before presenting a counter-argument.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Nevertheless" functions as an adverbial conjunction used to introduce a contrasting statement, often in situations where you want to acknowledge a previous point before presenting a different perspective. According to Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically sound and commonly used. It is appropriate for formal and semi-formal contexts and appears frequently in news, formal business writing, and academic discourse. While effective, it is important to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "however", "nonetheless", or "even so" to maintain variety in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

However

A direct synonym indicating contrast.

Nonetheless

A close synonym, similar in formality and usage.

Despite that

Directly indicates that something happens in spite of a preceding fact.

Even so

Indicates a concession followed by a contrasting statement.

All the same

Emphasizes that something remains true despite what has been said.

That being said

A common introductory phrase indicating a change in perspective.

Notwithstanding

More formal, implying 'despite' or 'in spite of'.

Still

A simpler way to indicate a contrast.

In any event

Suggests that what follows is true regardless of what preceded it.

Be that as it may

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing concession.

FAQs

How can I use "Nevertheless" in a sentence?

"Nevertheless" typically introduces a contrasting statement. For example: "The team played poorly; "nevertheless", they won the game".

What are some alternatives to "Nevertheless"?

Alternatives include "however", "nonetheless", "even so", and "despite this" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "Nevertheless" formal or informal?

"Nevertheless" is suitable for both formal and semi-formal contexts. It provides a slightly more elevated tone than simpler alternatives like "but".

What's the difference between "Nevertheless" and "Nonetheless"?

"Nevertheless" and "Nonetheless" are largely interchangeable synonyms. There is no significant difference in meaning or usage.