however so

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "however so" is not correct or usable in written English.
You can use the word "however" to start a sentence that expresses a differing opinion or introduces a different idea. For example, "He wanted to go to the party, however I preferred to stay home."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, so are symbolic actions.

The New York Times

However, so far progress remained behind expectation.

Advances in Genetics

As times change, however, so do attitudes.

The Guardian - Film

However, so far no samples have tested positive for FMD.

The Veterinary Journal

However, so far, no consensus for stool collection protocol exists.

Clinical Biochemistry

However, so far little has emerged from this approach.

Drug Discovery Today

Summer availability is very limited, however, so move quickly.

The Guardian - Travel

They have two timeouts, however, so there is a chance.

The Guardian - Sport

No one, however, so much as whispered "Sit down".

The Guardian - Opinion

As the end grew near, however, so did the peloton.

The New York Times - Sports

Once the election was done, however, so was the sale.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "however so" in formal writing. Instead, opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "however", "nevertheless", or "even so" to ensure clarity and professionalism.

Common error

A common mistake is using "however so" as a direct replacement for "however". This creates grammatically awkward sentences. Always evaluate if a single "however", or a stronger contrastive like "nevertheless", would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however so" functions as an attempted conjunction, aiming to introduce a contrast or qualification. However, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect, indicating it doesn't conform to standard English usage. Despite existing in numerous examples, its use is generally discouraged.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "however so" appears in a variety of sources, including News & Media and Scientific publications, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It is used to signal a contrast or qualification, similar to the word "however". For formal and academic writing, it is best to avoid "however so" and instead use grammatically correct alternatives such as "nevertheless", "even so", or a simple "however". Using these alternatives will ensure clarity and maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nevertheless

Replaces the entire phrase with a single word indicating contrast.

nonetheless

Similar to 'nevertheless', providing a direct contrastive meaning.

even so

Indicates concession, acknowledging a previous point but introducing a contrasting one.

be that as it may

A more formal way of expressing concession.

that being said

Introduces a contrasting point after acknowledging the previous one.

all the same

Expresses that something remains true despite what has been said.

in spite of that

Highlights that something occurs despite a preceding obstacle or condition.

despite this

Similar to 'in spite of that', indicating a contrast.

still

A simpler way to indicate that something is true despite a previous statement.

yet

Functions as a conjunction to introduce a contrasting idea.

FAQs

Is "however so" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "however so" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal English. It's better to use alternatives like "however", "nevertheless", or "even so".

What does "however so" mean?

While not grammatically correct, "however so" is likely intended to convey a sense of contrast or concession, similar to the meaning of the word "however". To ensure proper grammar, rephrase the sentence using a different conjunction or adverb.

Can I use "however so" in academic writing?

It's strongly advised against using "however so" in academic or formal writing. Opt for more grammatically sound options, like "nevertheless" or "nonetheless", to maintain credibility.

What are some alternatives to "however so"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "however", "even so", "still", or "yet" to convey the intended meaning. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to express.