We can however

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "We can however" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a contrasting idea or phrase related to the one previously mentioned. For example, "We cannot go outside to play in the snow. We can, however, have a snowball fight in the living room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We can, however, theorise.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We can, however, stop letting it affect us.

The Guardian - Opinion

We can, however, hope for modest progress in other areas.

The New York Times

We can, however, detect Bayliss's influence in the decision to move Joe Root to No3.

The Guardian - Sport

We can, however, make targets more difficult to hack and therefore less desirable targets".

The Guardian

We can, however, roll our eyes at Leni Riefenstahl's feeble self-justification.

The New York Times - Magazine

We can however look for some form of evidence of absence through skin.

The Guardian

We can, however, say with certainty that Love his clear doubts about that scenario transpiring.

The Guardian - Sport

We can, however, safely assume that there will be some surprises.

The Guardian

We can, however, pledge, from this day forward, to choose only leaders who are competent, experienced and battle tested.

The New York Times

We can, however, decide that we don't want a repeat of the subprime market collapse and the financial crisis.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "We can however" to introduce a contrasting point or a possible action following a statement of limitation or impossibility. It softens the contrast, making the message more balanced.

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences with "However". While "We can however" is grammatically sound, overuse can make your writing sound monotonous. Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives like "nevertheless", "yet", or "still" to introduce contrast.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "We can however" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, introducing a contrast or concession. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct and serves to connect two related but opposing ideas within a sentence or paragraph.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "We can however" serves as a valuable tool for introducing contrasting ideas or suggesting alternatives in various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound, commonly used, and suitable for both formal and informal settings. While it's versatile, avoiding overuse and mixing it up with alternatives like "nevertheless" or "still" can improve writing style and prevent monotony. The phrase finds frequent usage in "News & Media" and "Science", while maintaining relevance in other domains, which highlights its adaptability. Remember that using alternatives and other diverse expressions can enhance writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Nevertheless, we can

Replaces "however" with "nevertheless", offering a more formal tone.

Nonetheless, we can

Similar to "nevertheless", suggesting a contrast despite an obstacle.

We can still

Emphasizes the continuation of possibility despite a prior limitation.

Yet, we can

A concise alternative that highlights a contrast.

Even so, we can

Indicates that despite a preceding statement, something is still possible.

Despite that, we can

Highlights the ability to act despite a preceding challenge or limitation.

That being said, we can

Introduces a contrasting point after acknowledging a previous one.

With that said, we can

Similar to "That being said", indicating a shift in perspective.

On the other hand, we can

Presents an alternative possibility or action.

Alternatively, we can

Offers a different option or approach.

FAQs

How can I use "We can however" in a sentence?

"We can however" is used to introduce a contrasting statement or alternative action after acknowledging a limitation. For example, "We cannot go outside, we can however play indoors".

What can I say instead of "We can however"?

Alternatives to "We can however" include "nevertheless", "nonetheless", "still", or "yet", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "However"?

Starting a sentence with "However" is grammatically correct, but it's often stylistically preferred to use alternatives or incorporate it within the sentence, such as with "We can however".

What is the difference between "We can however" and "However, we can"?

"We can however" softens the contrast, placing the emphasis on the action. "However, we can" creates a stronger break between the two ideas and can sometimes be perceived as more formal.