for however

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for however" is not standard in written English and may lead to confusion.
It is not commonly used and may not convey a clear meaning without additional context. Example: "You can choose to stay for however long you wish."

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Be careful what you wish for, however.

The New York Times

Scott added, "We'll be brothers for however long after that".

The New York Times - Sports

I am willing to wait for however long it takes".

The New York Times

Love isn't what Putin was looking for, however.

The Guardian

Could be in the bag for however many months.

The New York Times - Sports

For however long he is gone, Foreman will be missed.

The New York Times - Sports

What I wasn't prepared for, however, was the psychological aftermath.

The Guardian - Opinion

What she does not stand for, however, is bad pronunciation.

The New York Times - Science

"I've been here for however many hours," Quinn said.

The New York Times - Sports

What you do need to sit down for, however, is a proper fish sandwich.

The New York Times - Travel

Determining what the devices should be looking for, however, is a work in progress.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, substitute "for however" with more precise alternatives like "for as long as" or "no matter how long" to ensure your meaning is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "for however" in formal documents; it's generally better suited for informal contexts. Opt for more conventional phrasing to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for however" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, indicating duration or extent. It is often used to specify a period or amount, similar to phrases like "as long as" or "no matter how much". Ludwig AI notes that the phrase isn't standard in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Sports

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "for however" is a frequently used phrase across various media, including news and sports, it is not considered standard in formal written English. As Ludwig AI points out, it may be better to opt for alternatives like "for as long as" or "no matter how long" for clarity and precision. The phrase functions as an adverbial modifier expressing duration or extent and carries a neutral to informal tone. When in doubt, especially in professional or academic writing, consider a more conventional phrasing to ensure your message is well-received.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for as long as

This alternative specifies a duration and is more grammatically standard than the original phrase.

for whatever duration

This option is more formal and emphasizes an unspecified amount of time.

no matter how long

It expresses indifference to the length of time involved.

regardless of the length

This phrase emphasizes that the duration does not affect the outcome or situation.

for all the time that

This alternative extends the period indefinitely, as long as something else occurs.

during the entire time

This phrase simply stresses the completeness of the period

throughout the duration

This option suggests a specific period of time that is completely covered.

while the period lasts

It emphasizes the conditional aspect of the time frame.

for the time being

This phrase focuses on the immediate or temporary duration.

for now

A shorter, less formal way to indicate a temporary period.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "for however" to sound more formal?

In formal writing, consider using phrases like "for as long as" or "regardless of the duration" for increased clarity and professionalism.

Is there a difference between "for however long" and "for as long as"?

While both phrases indicate a duration, "for as long as" is generally considered more grammatically correct and clearer than "for however long", which might sound awkward to some readers.

Can I use "for however" at the beginning of a sentence?

While grammatically possible, starting a sentence with "for however" can sound informal and may not be the best choice for formal writing. Rephrasing the sentence might improve its flow and clarity.

What are some common phrases using "however"?

Common phrases using "however" include "however long", "however much", and "however many", often used to express indifference to a quantity or duration. These can sometimes be more appropriate than "for however" depending on the context.