alas nonetheless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alas nonetheless" is not commonly used together in written English, and it may sound awkward.
You can use it when expressing a sense of regret or disappointment while also acknowledging a contrasting point. Example: "I had hoped for a different outcome; alas nonetheless, we must move forward."

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Alas, alas!

The Guardian - Books

So now there is a private member's bill which, alas, does not have the force of a US Senate's draft act, but which nonetheless signals parliamentary concern over FCO foot-dragging.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hungry nonetheless, they found that a funky restaurant suggested on Daryl and Paul's to-do list was closed, alas.

The New York Times - Magazine

But alas, prematurely, and alas, disastrously.

The New York Times - Arts

ALAS, poor Goethe.

The Economist

No such luck, alas.

The New York Times

ALAS, poor Oskar Lafontaine.

The Economist

No, alas.

TechCrunch

Using paper diaries alas.

TechCrunch

But alas they are not.

Forbes

ALAS has two isozymes encoded by the housekeeping and erythroid-specific ALAS2 genes, which are termed ALAS1 (or ALAS-N) and ALAS2 (or ALAS-E), respectively.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "alas nonetheless", ensure that the "alas" genuinely expresses regret or sorrow about a preceding fact, and the "nonetheless" introduces a contrasting or mitigating point.

Common error

Avoid using "alas nonetheless" in contexts that call for a casual or conversational tone. Its formality can make your writing sound stilted or unnatural in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alas nonetheless" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the sentence by expressing both regret and concession. "Alas" serves as an interjection expressing sorrow, while "nonetheless" introduces a contrasting element, indicating that despite the preceding disappointment, something else remains true. According to Ludwig AI, it might sound awkward.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Alas nonetheless" is a phrase that combines regret with a contrasting element. Grammatically, it functions as an adverbial phrase. While acceptable, Ludwig AI points out that it can sound awkward and formal. The phrase is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using "alas nonetheless", ensure it fits the tone of your writing. For a less formal approach, consider alternatives like "regrettably however" or "sadly even so". Overall, use this phrase judiciously to maintain a balance between formality and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Regrettably nevertheless

Replaces "alas" with "regrettably", maintaining the contrasting conjunction "nevertheless".

Unfortunately however

Uses "unfortunately" as a substitute for "alas" and "however" in place of "nonetheless".

Sadly even so

Employs "sadly" to express sorrow and "even so" to indicate a contrast.

Lamentably be that as it may

Replaces "alas" with the more formal "lamentably" and uses the idiomatic phrase "be that as it may" for contrast.

Alas but still

Replaces "nonetheless" with the simpler "but still", maintaining the sense of contrast.

Regrettably yet

Condenses the phrase by substituting "alas" with "regrettably" and "nonetheless" with "yet".

Sadly in spite of that

Replaces "alas" with "sadly", and expresses contrast with "in spite of that".

Unfortunately regardless

Expresses disappointment with "unfortunately", using "regardless" to show contrast.

Alas in any case

Maintains "alas" but replaces "nonetheless" with "in any case" to shift the focus to the subsequent statement.

Regrettably despite this

Starts with "regrettably" and shows contrast using "despite this".

FAQs

Is "alas nonetheless" grammatically correct?

Yes, "alas nonetheless" is grammatically acceptable, although it may sound somewhat formal or archaic to modern ears. It combines an interjection of sorrow with an adverb of contrast.

What does "alas nonetheless" mean?

"Alas nonetheless" expresses a sense of regret or disappointment, followed by an acknowledgement of a contrasting or mitigating circumstance. It's similar to saying "unfortunately however" or "sadly even so".

When should I use "alas nonetheless" in writing?

Use "alas nonetheless" when you want to convey a feeling of regret or disappointment, while also introducing a contrasting point. However, be mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your writing, as it can sound overly formal in some contexts. Consider using alternatives like "regrettably nevertheless" or "unfortunately however".

What are some alternatives to "alas nonetheless"?

Some alternatives to "alas nonetheless" include "regrettably however", "sadly even so", or "unfortunately regardless". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey and the overall tone of your writing.