but however

USAGE SUMMARY

'but however' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express contrasting ideas, specifically when introducing a thought that is different from a previous point. For example: "I don't usually like sci-fi movies, but however I found this one to be quite enjoyable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But however, I did it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But, however slender, Remember Me has an odd beauty.

The Guardian - Music

But however Ness characterizes the relationship, Westwood is effusive.

The New York Times - Magazine

But however romanticised, the play's religion is nothing but Christian.

The Guardian - Books

There's a but, however – quite a large one: the surface.

The Guardian - Sport

But however she's managed it, she's still on form.

The Guardian - Books

But, however firmly John might disagree, he was never disagreeable.

The Guardian

But however extreme, it was certainly not an isolated incident.

The Guardian - Opinion

But however welcoming the terrain, the people were suspicious.

The New York Times

But however crime is counted, the big picture is clear.

The Guardian

But, however bleak the immediate vista, not all is lost.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "but however", ensure the sentence structure is clear, and the contrast is evident to maintain clarity in writing.

Common error

Avoid using "but however" excessively in close proximity, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Opt for simpler conjunctions or transitional phrases for smoother transitions.

Linguistic Context

But however functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, adding emphasis to a contrast or concession. Ludwig's examples show it connects ideas that might seem contradictory, strengthening the transition. The Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but however" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a contrasting element, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is most frequently found in News & Media sources. While useful for emphasizing contrast, avoid overuse to maintain clarity. Alternatives like "nevertheless" or "nonetheless" can provide similar effects with potentially better flow. While AI deems its usage proper, writers should take extra care to ensure it's the best option available for each sentence it's used within.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nevertheless

Emphasizes the contrast, presenting the new information as something that holds true despite the previous statement.

nonetheless

Similar to 'nevertheless', but can sometimes imply a slightly weaker contrast.

even so

Indicates that the following statement is true despite what has been said before.

that being said

A transitional phrase that acknowledges the previous point before introducing a new, often contrasting, idea.

all the same

Highlights that despite the previous point, the following statement remains valid.

despite that

Directly indicates that the following information contrasts with the preceding statement.

be that as it may

More formal and literary; suggests a concession before introducing a contrasting point.

in spite of that

Similar to 'despite that', emphasizing the contradictory nature of the statements.

still

Implies that despite the previous statement, the following point remains true.

yet

A simple conjunction indicating contrast, often used in more informal contexts.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "but however" in a sentence?

Use "but however" to introduce a contrasting element that seems unexpected given the previous information. For example: "I prefer tea, "but however", I'll drink coffee if it's the only option".

What are some alternatives to "but however" that I can use?

Alternatives include "nevertheless", "nonetheless", or "even so", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but however"?

While grammatically acceptable, starting a sentence with "but however" may sound less formal. Consider rephrasing for a more polished tone in formal writing. Alternatives like "however" or "yet" might be preferable.

What's the difference between "but" and "but however"?

"But" is a simple conjunction indicating contrast. "But however" adds emphasis to the contrast and can introduce a slightly unexpected or surprising element. Its use is often stylistic and might be replaced with "however" for brevity.