are however

USAGE SUMMARY

'are however' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to contrast two ideas or statements and is usually placed between two independent clauses. For example, "We prefer to stay at home, but are however planning to visit a few attractions this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Warnings are, however, given.

The New York Times - Sports

They are, however, solvable.

The New Yorker

Fines are, however, rare.

The New York Times

They are, however, disheartening.

The New York Times

(They are, however, paid).

The New York Times - Magazine

There are, however, problems.

The New York Times - Arts

There are, however, sceptics.

The Economist

Weaknesses there are, however.

The Guardian - Books

There are, however, exceptions.

The Guardian - Sport

There are, however, models".

The Guardian - Books

There are, however, downsides.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are however", ensure it separates two independent clauses for clarity. Placing it mid-clause can sometimes disrupt the flow.

Common error

Avoid using "are however" within a dependent clause. This can create grammatical awkwardness. Instead, position it to connect two complete ideas directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are however" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, connecting two independent clauses to express a contrast or qualification. This aligns with Ludwig's observation that it introduces a contrasting element.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are however" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that functions as a conjunctive adverbial, primarily to introduce a contrast or qualification. As indicated by Ludwig, it's often used to connect two independent clauses, adding a layer of complexity to the sentence structure. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various writing styles, particularly in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "are nevertheless" or "are nonetheless" can provide similar meaning, understanding the nuanced placement of "are however" helps maintain clarity and precision in writing. While the use of "are however" is perfectly valid, remember to separate it with commas in most cases for optimal readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are nevertheless

Replaces "however" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing contrast.

are nonetheless

Similar to 'nevertheless', providing a slightly stronger sense of contradiction.

are yet

A concise way to express contrast, suitable for shorter sentences.

are still

Emphasizes the continuation of a state despite a previous statement.

are even so

Adds a touch of informality while maintaining the contrasting meaning.

are in spite of that

More explicit in expressing contrast, suitable for emphasis.

are be that as it may

A more archaic and formal way to introduce a contrasting point.

are despite this

Directly points to the preceding statement as something to be contrasted.

are on the other hand

Introduces a different perspective or factor to consider.

are but

A simple conjunction showing contrast, more common in literary contexts.

FAQs

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

"Are however" is used to contrast two ideas. For example: "We want to stay, we "are however" leaving soon."

What phrases are similar to "are however"?

Similar phrases include "are nevertheless", "are nonetheless", and "are yet". Each provides a way to show contrast.

Is it more formal to say "are however" or "but"?

"Are however" typically sounds more formal than simply using "but". Choose "but" for more casual writing and "are however" for formal contexts.

Where should I place "are however" in a sentence?

Ideally, "are however" should be placed between two independent clauses, often after a comma, to clearly show the contrast between the two ideas.