however much

USAGE SUMMARY

"however much" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express a contrast between two amounts, as in "This tree is tall, however much shorter than the other ones around it".

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

However, Aip1p cannot replace Acp1p/Acp2p.

Yale University

Conveniently, however, 74 of these were withdrawn.

The Economist

However, 1995 is a foreign past.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, World3 is a rather complex model.

The Guardian

However, 4G is expensive if used frequently.

The Guardian - Tech

However, £20m is an odd amount.

The Guardian

However, 100 years ago there was controversy.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, QE3 remains a distinct possibility.

The Guardian - Business

There are, however, 485 women mayors.

The New York Times

However 4 bags missed the connection.

Columbia University

(However, 92 of the 468 stations lack such systems).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "however much" to smoothly introduce a contrasting element or unexpected result despite a certain quantity or degree. For instance, "The task seemed simple, however much effort it actually required."

Common error

Avoid using "however much" when a simpler contrast would suffice. "However much" is best when the amount or degree is central to the contrast, not just a general contradiction. For example, instead of "He was tired, however much he slept," consider "He was tired, even though he slept a lot."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however much" functions as an adverbial modifier, introducing a clause that expresses a contrast or concession despite a certain quantity or degree. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "however much" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to introduce a contrasting element linked to a quantity or degree. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a correct and usable phrase. While it doesn't appear frequently in the provided examples, its function is to emphasize that a certain amount doesn't alter the final outcome, offering a neutral tone suitable for various contexts. Alternatives like "no matter how much" or "regardless of the amount" can be used, depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

howsoever much

An archaic or formal synonym of "however much."

no matter how much

Emphasizes the lack of impact regardless of the quantity.

irrespective of how much

Stresses that the quantity is not a relevant factor.

regardless of the amount

Highlights that the quantity does not affect the outcome.

despite the quantity

Directly contrasts the quantity with an expected outcome.

to whatever extent

Indicates a degree of acceptance or limitation.

notwithstanding the extent

A formal way of saying that something is true despite a particular amount.

even if there is a lot of

Acknowledges a large quantity but implies it's insufficient.

to the degree that

Indicates the level or extent to which something happens or is true.

as much as

Focuses on the quantity, often implying a comparison or limit.

FAQs

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

"However much" is used to introduce a contrasting idea, often related to a quantity or degree. For example, "The room remained cold, "however much" we turned up the heat."

What can I say instead of "however much"?

You can use alternatives like "no matter how much", "regardless of the amount", or "despite the quantity" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"However much" emphasizes a quantity or degree as part of the contrast, while "although" simply introduces a contrasting fact. For example, "However much he tried, he couldn't succeed" focuses on the effort, while "Although he tried, he couldn't succeed" is a general contrast.

Is "howsoever much" a valid alternative to "however much"?

"Howsoever much" is a valid, though archaic and more formal, alternative to ""however much"". It carries the same meaning but is less commonly used in modern English.