however good

USAGE SUMMARY

"however good" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is good even with all the factors taken into account. For example: "This new smartphone is rather expensive; however good its features are, it may not be worth the price."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

However, good news was near.

The New York Times

It is, however, good fun.

The Guardian - Tech

However good his intentions, he is conditioned to do so.

The Guardian

However, good performance hasn't been at any cost.

The Guardian

However, good practice does not stretch so far as openness.

The Guardian

No man, however good, could survive such burdens.

The Guardian

However good the intention, this was Gloger's mistake.

The Guardian - Music

Yet, however good Excite's intentions, this will not be easy.

The Economist

It isn't, however, good intentions that are at play here.

Independent

He isn't, however, good at overall structural coherence.

The New York Times - Arts

There are, however, good grounds for rejecting this theory.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "however good" to acknowledge a positive attribute before introducing a contrasting point or limitation. This helps to create a balanced and nuanced argument.

Common error

Avoid using "however good" when simply stating something is good without any contrasting point. It implies a limitation or contrast that should be present for the phrase to make sense.

Linguistic Context

“However good” functions as an adverbial phrase that introduces a concessive clause. It acknowledges a positive quality but sets up a contrast or limitation. It aligns with Ludwig's assessment that it is correct and usable in written English, typically followed by a contrasting statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, “however good” is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that introduces a concession before presenting a contrasting point. According to Ludwig, its use is appropriate for nuanced arguments requiring a balanced perspective. It's essential to follow “however good” with a statement that offers a contrast or limitation, as the phrase sets up an expectation of such a contrast. Predominantly found in news and media, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for various contexts where balanced assessments are needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

good as it may be

Implies a degree of goodness, but suggests it's not a decisive factor.

no matter how exceptional

Highlights the exceptional quality without altering the overall meaning.

regardless of how excellent

Emphasizes that something is excellent but the outcome remains the same.

even though superior

Emphasizes the superior quality but introduces a contrasting idea.

even if outstanding

Focuses on the outstanding nature, presenting it as a condition.

although it excels

Highlights excellence as a concession before introducing a contrasting point.

despite its merits

Draws attention to the positive aspects while contrasting them with a limitation.

notwithstanding its strength

Acknowledges the strength but implies it's not enough to change the situation.

in spite of its virtue

Focuses on the virtue, setting it against a contrasting element.

irrespective of its quality

Shifts the focus to disregarding the quality, whatever it may be.

FAQs

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

Use "however good" to acknowledge a positive quality before introducing a contrasting point or limitation. For example, "However good the intention, the outcome was negative."

What are some alternatives to "however good"?

You can use alternatives such as "regardless of how excellent", "no matter how exceptional", or "even if outstanding" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to follow "however good" with a contrasting statement?

Yes, "however good" introduces a concession, implying a contrast or limitation. Without a subsequent contrasting statement, the phrase lacks context and may sound incomplete.

What's the difference between "however good" and "although good"?

"However good" typically introduces a more direct contrast than "although good". While both acknowledge a positive quality, "however good" often sets up a stronger contradiction or unexpected outcome.