however busy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "however busy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that despite being busy, something else is still true or will happen. Example: "I will attend the meeting, however busy my schedule may be."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Mandela, on his visits to London, made time to meet Lionel, however busy his schedule.

The Guardian

If a student approaches you it's because they think you can help, so spare some time however busy you are.

The Guardian

However busy Morgan might be he always came to window at noon and listened to the preaching outside.

The New Yorker

Reeves argued that people all knew there was a little more they could do to support isolated people around them, however busy their lives.

The Guardian

Their staff are proof of this, too – however busy, they have a way of fitting you into the smallish bar or large garden and terrace.

The Guardian - Travel

However, busy romping around stadiums and taking selfies at worldwide media events, Fuleco is far from working in a localised context.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The scythe, however, is busy.

The Guardian

Cruz, however, is busy working on his audition for Princess Bride.

The Guardian - Film

Mr. Bradford, however, was busy applying hair extensions to Ms. Golden's head in the beauty parlor installation he had set up.

The New York Times - Arts

The Europeans, however, were busy taking inspiration from the sky and then Sergio García turned the news conference into a cocktail mixer.

The New York Times - Sports

Often, however, a busy parent forgets that the child is still in the car, especially on the way to or from work and day care.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "however busy", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what action is taken despite the state of being busy. For example, "However busy I am, I always make time for family."

Common error

Avoid using "however busy" as a standalone statement without a clear connection to the main point. Ensure the sentence clearly establishes the contrast between busyness and the action being described. For example, avoid: "I am however busy."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however busy" functions as an adverbial clause of concession, modifying the main clause by introducing a contrasting element. It indicates that despite someone being busy, the action described in the main clause still occurs. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "however busy" is a grammatically sound and frequently used way to express that an action is performed despite a demanding schedule. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and useful in written English. Predominantly found in news, science, and wiki contexts, it conveys a sense of commitment and emphasizes the importance of certain actions. For alternative phrasing, consider "no matter how busy" or "regardless of how busy". To avoid ambiguity, ensure the sentence clearly connects the state of busyness to the action being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no matter how busy

Replaces "however" with "no matter how", emphasizing the lack of impact of being busy on the action.

regardless of how busy

Similar to "no matter how busy", this phrase uses "regardless of" to stress that the busyness does not change the outcome.

even when extremely busy

This variation directly states the condition of being extremely busy without using "however".

despite being very busy

Employs "despite" to show contrast between the state of being busy and the action taken.

even if quite busy

Uses "even if" to introduce a condition of being quite busy.

although very occupied

Replaces "busy" with "occupied", presenting a formal alternative.

notwithstanding a hectic schedule

Offers a more formal and sophisticated way of saying "however busy".

irrespective of a demanding workload

Similar to "notwithstanding", this phrase emphasizes the lack of influence of a demanding workload.

even with limited time

Focuses on the scarcity of time as the contrasting element.

busy as one may be

Presents an inversion of the original phrase for a more emphatic effect.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "however busy" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "no matter how busy", "regardless of how busy", or "despite being very busy" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "however busy", but ensure that the sentence structure is clear and that the phrase connects logically to the rest of the sentence. For example, "However busy I am, I will make time for the meeting."

What is the difference between "however busy" and "although busy"?

"However busy" emphasizes a contrast or concession, suggesting that despite being busy, something else is still true or will happen. "Although busy" /s/although+busy is a simple conjunction indicating that something is true even though someone is busy.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "however busy"?

The phrase "however busy" is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts when you want to emphasize that an action is or will be taken despite someone's busyness. It is commonly found in "news and media", "science" writing, and general "wiki" articles.