but even so

USAGE SUMMARY

"but even so" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to introduce a statement which contrasts with what has just been said. For example: I'm not sure I like the new restaurant in town, but even so, I'm willing to give it a try.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But even so.

Yale University

But even so … one remembers.

The New Yorker

But even so the opposition is strong.

The Economist

But, even so, it feels awful.

The New Yorker

But even so, I feel reticent.

The New Yorker

But even so, it is pretty rare.

Harvard Business Review

But even so, the idiosyncratic risk just dominates.

Yale University

But even so, health care was not the whole story.

University of California, Berkeley

But even so, this is not a probability course.

Yale University

But even so, they have a different profession, right?

Yale University

But even so they sound pretty and smell nice.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing when using "but even so". While generally acceptable, alternatives like "nevertheless" or "however" might be more appropriate in formal contexts.

Common error

While grammatically sound, overuse of "but even so" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure with alternatives like "however", "yet", or "nevertheless" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but even so" functions as a conjunction, linking two clauses and indicating a contrast or concession. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in introducing a statement that remains valid despite the preceding information. It's a way to acknowledge one thing, but proceed with a contrasting point that holds true even so.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

24%

Science

23%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but even so" is a grammatically correct and frequently used conjunction phrase that introduces a contrasting statement or concession. As Ludwig AI has shown, it is commonly found in News & Media, Academia, and Science. While versatile, writers should consider the context and formality of their writing, opting for alternatives like "however" or "nevertheless" when appropriate. Overusing the phrase can lead to repetitiveness, so varying sentence structure is recommended. Despite its correct usage, it's important to ensure that the contrasting point is still relevant and valid, maintaining clarity and coherence in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even so

This option omits the initial conjunction, maintaining the core meaning of concession.

nevertheless

This single word replaces the entire phrase, offering a more concise way to express contrast.

however

A common transitional word indicating contrast, similar in function but more direct.

nonetheless

Similar to "nevertheless", offering a formal and concise contrast.

all the same

This phrase provides a slightly more informal way to introduce a contrasting point.

yet

A simple conjunction that can replace the entire phrase in many contexts.

that being said

A common phrase used to signal a shift in perspective or introduce a contrasting point.

despite that

This option highlights the contrast by emphasizing what has come before.

in spite of that

Similar to "despite that", but with a slightly different emphasis on the preceding information.

be that as it may

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of expressing concession.

FAQs

How can I use "but even so" in a sentence?

Use "but even so" to introduce a contrasting point that remains valid despite a previous statement. For example, "The task was difficult, "but even so", we managed to complete it".

What can I say instead of "but even so"?

You can use alternatives like "nevertheless", "however", or "yet" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use both "but" and "even so" together?

While using both "but" and "even so" might seem redundant, it can add emphasis to the contrasting idea. It's a matter of style and the specific context.

What's the difference between "but even so" and "even though"?

"But even so" introduces a contrasting point that still holds true, while "even though" introduces a condition that doesn't prevent the main clause from being true. "I was tired, "but even so", I finished the race" implies the race was finished despite tiredness. "Even though I was tired, I finished the race" emphasizes the tiredness didn't stop the race from being finished.