however definitely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "however definitely" is not correct and does not work well in written English.
It is typically used when contrasting ideas, but the combination of "however" and "definitely" creates a conflict in tone and meaning. Example: "I thought the project would be easy; however, definitely, it turned out to be quite challenging."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

I, however, definitely was going to bother.

The Guardian - Opinion

Pirates fans, however, definitely need to work on that rushing-the-court thing.

The New York Times

There are, however, definitely portions of the book that I would not want to reprint.

The New York Times

They are, however, "definitely stories, written with great care and radiant with the safety and comfort of home".

The Guardian - Books

Cole is, however, definitely wanted by Miss South Africa, who described him as the "ultimate soccer dreamboat".

The Guardian - Sport

Alcohol, however, definitely increases the body's water need and cannot be included in your liquid intake unless the drinks are prepared with plenty of unsweetened nonalcoholic mixers.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

The first noodles, however, were definitely Asian.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The clothes, however, are definitely Donna Karan.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A Jewish earth mother, however, she definitely is not.

The New York Times

Food, however, was definitely a minor factor in our trip.

The New York Times - Travel

However, Wales definitely need to improve in the tackle area compared with last week against the Italians.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of combining "however" and "definitely", choose one adverb to modify the statement. For example, use "however" to introduce a contrast or "definitely" to emphasize a point, but not both together.

Common error

Avoid using both "however" and "definitely" in close proximity, as they create a redundant and sometimes confusing effect. "However" indicates a contrast, while "definitely" confirms certainty. Choose the one that best fits the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however definitely" functions as an adverbial modifier, attempting to introduce a contrasting element while simultaneously emphasizing the certainty of the statement. However, Ludwig AI marks this as grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

32%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "however definitely" appears in various contexts, it is generally considered grammatically awkward and incorrect. As Ludwig AI underlines, this combination of contrast and emphasis often leads to redundancy and confusion. It's better to choose alternative adverbs like "certainly" or "assuredly" to achieve clarity and precision in writing. Although used in News & Media and Science, alternatives like "however certainly" or "nevertheless surely" offer more grammatically sound options to express both contrast and certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however certainly

Replaces "definitely" with "certainly" to maintain the sense of assurance while keeping the contrast.

yet assuredly

Uses "yet" to introduce the contrast and "assuredly" to convey certainty.

nevertheless surely

Employs "nevertheless" for contrast and "surely" for emphasis on the assertion.

nonetheless undoubtedly

Combines "nonetheless" for contrast with "undoubtedly" for a strong affirmation.

even so certainly

Utilizes "even so" to show contrast and "certainly" for emphasis.

that said certainly

Offers contrast with "that said", followed by the emphasis of "certainly".

be that as it may assuredly

Introduces a contrast with "be that as it may" and asserts confidence with "assuredly".

with that being said undoubtedly

Uses "with that being said" to transition into a contrasting statement with "undoubtedly".

despite that surely

Begins with "despite that" to present a contradiction, adding "surely" for affirmation.

all the same undoubtedly

Expresses contrast with "all the same" followed by affirmation with "undoubtedly".

FAQs

How can I use "however" and "definitely" correctly in the same sentence?

While using "however definitely" together is grammatically awkward, you can use them in separate clauses or sentences to maintain clarity. For example: "The task was challenging; /s/however, it was /s/definitely achievable".

What phrases can I use instead of "however definitely" to show contrast and certainty?

You can use alternatives like "however certainly", "nevertheless surely", or "nonetheless undoubtedly" to convey both contrast and emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to use "however definitely" in formal writing?

No, it is not grammatically correct. Ludwig AI points out that this is not correct. It is best to avoid this phrase in formal writing and opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives.

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

"However" introduces a contrast or contradiction, while "definitely" emphasizes certainty or assurance. They serve different functions and combining them directly can create redundancy or confusion.