however despite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "however despite" is not correct and usable in written English as it combines two contradictory terms.
You cannot use it because "however" indicates a contrast while "despite" indicates a concession, making the combination illogical. Example: "However despite the challenges, we managed to complete the project on time."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

However, despite legal proceedings continuing, Laudrup did elaborate.

The Guardian - Sport

However, despite emergency rule, attacks by extremists have continued unabated.

The New York Times

However, despite all these plaudits, I have one major criticism.

The Guardian - Opinion

However despite being published twice it remains largely unknown.

The Guardian

However, despite those three facts, Lansley's statement is still true.

The Guardian

However, despite this, she claims race "isn't real".

Independent

However, despite a plethora of evidence, he did not.

Independent

However, despite the current environment of fear and caution, he insisted: "Of course I am optimistic.

The New York Times

However, despite good outcomes, Own Health fell foul of the change in the commissioning landscape.

The Guardian

However, despite all this there is something warmly nostalgic about Gray Matter.

The Guardian - Tech

However, despite these apparently positive figures, there are a number of caveats.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "however despite" in formal writing. Choose either "however" or "despite" to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity. For example, use "However, the project was successful" or "Despite the challenges, the project was successful".

Common error

Don't combine "however" and "despite" as they both serve to introduce a contrast or concession. Using both together creates a redundant and grammatically incorrect construction. Instead, select the single best connector that fits the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however despite" functions as a conjunction phrase, attempting to connect contrasting ideas. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect due to the redundancy of using two words that serve a similar purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

39%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "however despite" is a grammatically incorrect combination of two words with similar functions. Both "however" and "despite" are used to introduce a contrast or concession, making their simultaneous use redundant. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as incorrect and recommends using either "however" or "despite" alone, or opting for alternatives like "nevertheless" or "even though". While the phrase appears across various sources, particularly in News & Media and Science, its incorrectness diminishes its suitability for formal writing. Choosing clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives enhances the precision and professionalism of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nevertheless

A single word replacement that effectively conveys contrast without the redundancy.

nonetheless

Similar to "nevertheless", offering a direct and grammatically correct contrast.

despite that

A direct replacement that uses "despite" correctly to show concession.

in spite of that

Replaces the entire phrase with a more grammatically sound construction expressing concession.

even so

A concise alternative that clearly indicates a contrast to the preceding statement.

even though

Introduces a clause that presents a contrast, offering a more structured alternative.

regardless

Conveys a similar sense of proceeding without being affected by something, avoiding the grammatical issue.

that being said

A phrase that smoothly introduces a contrasting point after acknowledging a previous one.

yet

A simple conjunction that effectively indicates a contrast.

with all that said

Indicates that the following statement will provide a contrast or qualification to what has been previously stated.

FAQs

Why is "however despite" considered incorrect?

The phrase "however despite" is redundant because "however" and "despite" both introduce a contrast or concession. Using them together creates an illogical and grammatically unsound construction. It's best to choose one or the other.

What are some alternatives to "however despite"?

You can use alternatives such as "nevertheless", "in spite of that", or "even though" depending on the context.

How do I correctly use "however" in a sentence?

"However" is typically used to introduce a contrasting statement. For example: "The team faced many challenges. "However", they persevered and achieved their goals."

Is it ever appropriate to use both "however" and "despite" in the same sentence?

While it's technically possible to use them in separate clauses within the same sentence, it is generally clearer and more concise to use only one. Avoid the direct combination "however despite".