however insignificant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "however insignificant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a contrasting idea, often to emphasize that even something small or minor has importance or relevance in a given context. Example: "The contribution of each team member, however insignificant, played a role in the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

However insignificant something is, he doesn't let it go without being prepared for it".

The New York Times - Sports

Suppose the interrogators found some other discrepancy in my account, however insignificant?

The New Yorker

You should generally not make any response on your own initiative, however insignificant it might seem.

Independent

The first penalty called appeared to have been a mistake, however insignificant.

The New York Times - Sports

The effects of die bearing length and extrusion speed on extrusion pressure are however insignificant.

Journal of Materials Processing Technology

Yet however insignificant it may have seemed back then, there was no question about its ideology, identity and mission.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

This potential for this threat, however, is insignificant, compared to the plethora of other potentially beneficial services Thingiverse may provide.

University of California, Berkeley

The influences of the reinforcement ratio, joint depth and slab thickness, however, were insignificant.

Construction and Building Materials

The spatial temperature gradient, however, had insignificant effect on the droplet shape.

Chemical Engineering Science

The dependence of the phase of the corresponding impedance component on the hand grip force, however, is insignificant.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Similarly, combined treatment increased the leaf and xylem sap B as compared to NaCl alone, however, remained insignificant for salt toxic ions.

Environmental and Experimental Botany

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "however insignificant" to concede a point before highlighting its unexpected importance. This can add nuance to your argument and demonstrate a balanced perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "however insignificant" when you genuinely believe something is utterly irrelevant. The phrase implies a degree of relevance, even if small, that should still be acknowledged.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however insignificant" functions as an adverbial modifier, introducing a concessive clause that acknowledges the minimal impact or importance of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and diverse application.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "however insignificant" is a commonly used phrase that introduces a concessive element, acknowledging the apparent lack of importance while hinting at a potential subtle impact. It is grammatically sound, appearing across various sources, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. Ludwig AI's analysis aligns with these observations, marking the phrase as suitable for enhancing nuanced writing. The examples showcase its versatility, while the related phrases and writing guidance offer practical insights for effective use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no matter how small

Focuses on the size aspect of insignificance.

regardless of how trivial

Emphasizes the lack of importance or consequence.

even if seemingly minor

Highlights the deceptive appearance of insignificance.

despite its apparent unimportance

Directly addresses the lack of perceived value.

though it appears negligible

Focuses on the nearly nonexistent quality of the subject.

however slight it may be

Highlights the minimal degree or extent.

in spite of its pettiness

Emphasizes the small-minded or trivial nature.

even at its most minute

Stresses the extremely small scale.

irrespective of its paltriness

Focuses on the lack of value or worth.

small as it might seem

Highlights the potentially misleading small size.

FAQs

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

The phrase "however insignificant" introduces a clause that acknowledges the smallness or unimportance of something, often to emphasize its surprising impact or relevance. For example, "The contribution, "however insignificant", made a difference."

What are some alternatives to "however insignificant"?

Alternatives include "no matter how small", "regardless of how trivial", or "even if seemingly minor". These options convey a similar meaning while varying slightly in emphasis.

Is it always necessary to include "however" when using "insignificant" to describe something small?

No, the word "however" introduces a contrast or concession. If you're simply stating that something is insignificant without intending to contrast it with something else, you can omit "however" and just say "insignificant".

What's the difference between "however insignificant" and "relatively insignificant"?

"However insignificant" emphasizes that something is small or unimportant in itself, whereas "relatively insignificant" compares its insignificance to something else. The latter implies a comparison, while the former stands alone.