however certainly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "however certainly" is not commonly used together in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you want to emphasize certainty despite a contrasting point, but it is better to separate the two ideas for clarity. Example: "The project has faced many challenges; however, it will certainly succeed with the right support."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

He is, however, certainly a flight risk.

The Economist

His players, however, certainly do not think he has lost a step.

The New York Times - Sports

The paper, however, certainly is another nail in the coffin of the standard narrative of prehistory.

The Guardian

The question won't be answered anytime soon, however — certainly not by Fran, and not this weekend.

The New Yorker

Their points of view, however, certainly ranged widely, from confrontational to diplomatic.

The New York Times

"However, certainly we will conform with any speed restrictions that they would impose," said the spokesman, Ken Miller.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Beards, however, most certainly were not.

The Guardian - Sport

However Black certainly believes it is possible.

The Guardian - Sport

US diplomatic presentation, however, has certainly changed in the last decade.

The Guardian

Stockholm itself, however, could certainly not be described as sober.

The Guardian - Travel

At the time, however, it certainly made an impression.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, consider separating "however" and "certainly" into distinct clauses or sentences to avoid awkward phrasing. For example: "The project faced challenges; however, it will certainly succeed."

Common error

Avoid using "however certainly" too frequently in formal writing, as it can sound repetitive and less sophisticated. Explore alternative conjunctions and adverbs to introduce variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however certainly" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It aims to introduce a contrast (however) while simultaneously emphasizing the truth or validity of the following statement (certainly). As pointed out by Ludwig AI, this combination is not always the most elegant and may sound awkward.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Social Media

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "however certainly" serves to introduce a contrasting point while attempting to emphasize its validity. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI indicates that its use can sometimes sound awkward, and more direct alternatives might be preferable for enhanced clarity. Its usage spans various contexts, from news reporting to scientific discourse, exhibiting a neutral register. When writing, consider whether separating the contrast and emphasis into separate clauses or sentences could improve the overall flow and impact of your message. Alternatives such as "however definitely" or "nevertheless certainly" may offer a more polished tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however definitely

Replaces "certainly" with "definitely", maintaining a similar level of emphasis and conviction.

however undoubtedly

Substitutes "certainly" with "undoubtedly", highlighting the lack of doubt or question.

however assuredly

Replaces "certainly" with "assuredly", implying a guarantee or confident expectation.

nevertheless certainly

Replaces "however" with "nevertheless", offering a more formal tone while retaining the emphasis on certainty.

nonetheless certainly

Similar to "nevertheless certainly", provides a formal alternative to "however" with "nonetheless".

yet certainly

Replaces "however" with "yet", offering a simpler, more direct contrast.

but certainly

A shorter, more direct alternative using "but" to introduce the contrasting element.

however without a doubt

Expands on "certainly" to "without a doubt", making the assertion more explicit.

however beyond question

Similar to "without a doubt", emphasizes the unquestionable nature of the statement.

despite this certainly

Replaces "however" to "despite this" to underline the contrast.

FAQs

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

"However certainly" is used to introduce a contrasting statement with emphasis. For instance, "The evidence is limited; however certainly, further research is needed."

What are some alternatives to "however certainly"?

You can use alternatives such as "however definitely", "nevertheless certainly", or "yet certainly" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "however certainly"?

While not incorrect, "however certainly" can sound awkward. It's generally better to separate the ideas for clarity or use stronger alternatives like "however definitely".

What is the difference between "however" and "however certainly"?

"However" introduces a contrast, while "however certainly" attempts to add emphasis to the contrast, though it may not always be the most effective way to do so. Consider using a stronger adverb or restructuring the sentence for better flow.