anyway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anyway" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a transition or to dismiss a previous point, often implying that the speaker is moving on to a different topic or thought. Example: "I didn't really enjoy the movie, but anyway, let's talk about something else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not yet, anyway.

The New York Times

Well, that's the idea anyway.

The New York Times

And who was Harold, anyway?

The New York Times

Inside the truck, the guards shouted, "Sit down!" Cross your legs!" I didn't understand the last part but they crossed my legs anyway.

The Guardian

She is used to the press, so she probably would not tell anyway, if she did not want to.

The Guardian - Film

Brown, who was under some pressure anyway at the start of his second season since succeeding Ashley Giles at Edgbaston, was left in an invidious position as Warwickshire accommodated Jonathan Trott's wishes to come straight back to first-class cricket, four months after his abrupt departure from England's Ashes tour.

The Guardian - Sport

"It used to be a true blue seat, so actually the transition from Conservative to Liberal Democrats showed that there was a change there anyway, and that's just to do with the very sharp increase in public sector employment in South Yorkshire over the past ten or fifteen years".

The Guardian

And since you're now coming anyway, here are some tips of what else to see, bearing in mind everything on the programme looks good and mad and free: As they are hosting the party, it would be rude to ignore Everything Everything.

The Guardian

Anyway, an extended period of self-analysis and meditation may be just what Labour in Scotland needs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many people worry there are changes in the air, but hope is far from lost – with some suggesting that if the Europeanisation of Moscow is over, the end of this copycat urban development may not be such a bad thing anyway.

The Guardian

Last week, of course, the head of Barclays's US investment bank quit anyway and senior colleagues are following suit.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your context. While generally acceptable, "anyway" can sometimes be replaced with more formal alternatives like "nevertheless" or "in any case" in professional or academic writing.

Common error

Avoid using "anyway" excessively, as it can make your writing sound repetitive or dismissive. Vary your transitions with alternatives like "'regardless'" or "'in any case'" to maintain reader engagement.

How to use

Learn how to use "anyway" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The adverb "anyway" primarily functions as a discourse marker, signaling a shift in topic, a return to a previous subject, or a dismissal of a prior point. It serves to guide the reader or listener through the flow of conversation or writing. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "anyway" functions as a versatile discourse marker, commonly employed to shift topics, dismiss preceding points, or affirm a statement's validity regardless of prior context. Ludwig AI validates its frequent use across various News & Media, indicating a neutral register suitable for both informal conversations and more formal writing. To avoid overuse, alternatives like "'regardless'" or "'in any case'" can be used. As Ludwig suggests, mastering the use of "anyway" and its alternatives can significantly enhance the flow and clarity of your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regardless

Emphasizes that something will happen irrespective of other considerations.

nevertheless

Highlights a contrast or contradiction with what precedes it.

nonetheless

Similar to 'nevertheless', but often used in more formal contexts.

in any case

Indicates that the following statement is true regardless of what has been previously said.

in any event

Similar to 'in any case', but can also introduce a summary or conclusion.

at any rate

Suggests a return to the main point after a digression.

anyhow

An informal synonym for "anyway", suggesting a casual dismissal or transition.

still

Emphasizes continuation or persistence despite obstacles or concerns.

even so

Acknowledges a preceding point but introduces a contrasting idea.

that being said

Signals a transition to a new or contrasting perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "anyway" in a sentence?

"Anyway" can be used to change the subject, dismiss a previous point, or indicate that something will happen regardless of circumstances. For example, "I didn't like the movie, but "anyway", let's get some food."

What can I say instead of "anyway"?

You can use alternatives like "regardless", "nevertheless", or "in any case" depending on the context.

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

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used to start a sentence, especially when transitioning to a new topic or resuming a previous one. For example, "Anyway, where were we?"

What's the difference between "anyway" and "anyways"?

"Anyway" is the standard and more widely accepted form. "Anyways" is sometimes used informally, but it's generally best to stick with ""anyway"" in formal writing.