however many

USAGE SUMMARY

"however many" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used when referring to an unspecified huge number or amount, and can be used in formal or informal situations. For example: "We have a limited number of seats available, however many people want to come can come."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

However, many followers disagreed.

Independent

However many questions remain.

The Guardian

However, many nations do.

The Guardian

However many barriers remain.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, many obstacles remain.

The Guardian

However, many of his ideas seem silly.

The New York Times - Books

However, many storefronts on Valencia are empty.

The New York Times

There are, however, many variants of this.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, many herbs interact with conventional treatment.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In private, however, many liberals have reservations.

The Economist

There are, however, many currently existing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "however many" to indicate that the exact number is not important or relevant to the statement you are making.

Common error

Avoid placing a comma directly after "however many" unless it is part of an introductory clause that requires one. For example, "However many attempts it takes, we will succeed" is correct without an additional comma after "many".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however many" functions as a determiner that modifies a noun, indicating an unspecified or unlimited quantity. Ludwig confirms the usability of this expression in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "however many" serves as a determiner indicating an unspecified quantity, and Ludwig confirms its usability. It's grammatically sound and functions to emphasize that the exact amount is not a limiting factor. While its register is generally neutral, its usage is most frequent in news, wikis, and scientific contexts, as observed in the Ludwig examples. Common errors include incorrect punctuation. For alternative phrasing, consider "no matter how many" or "regardless of the number". Overall, understanding "however many" enhances precision and clarity in written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no matter how many

Emphasizes the lack of limitation or restriction, regardless of the quantity.

regardless of the number

Focuses on the irrelevance of the specific count or amount.

irrespective of quantity

Highlights that the particular amount does not affect the outcome.

to whatever extent

Indicates a degree without specifying an exact measurement.

as many as

Implies a maximum or surprisingly large quantity.

howsoever numerous

A more formal and less common way to express "however many".

despite the amount

Highlights a situation where the amount does not prevent something from happening.

notwithstanding the quantity

A formal way to state that a quantity does not change the situation.

by any chance

Questions the existence of a quantity.

as much as

Implies a very large amount or degree.

FAQs

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

Use "however many" to indicate an unspecified or unlimited quantity. For instance, "However many problems arise, we'll find a solution."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "however many"?

Alternatives include "no matter how many", "regardless of the number", or "irrespective of quantity".

Is it correct to say "however many"?

Yes, "however many" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express an unlimited quantity or degree. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

What's the difference between "however many" and "however much"?

"However many" is used with countable nouns (e.g., "However many books you read..."), while "however much" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., "However much time you have...").