however speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "however speaking" is not correct and usable in written English.
It seems to be an incorrect combination of "however" and "speaking," which do not typically go together in this way. Example: "However speaking, I believe we should reconsider our approach to the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, speaking the truth is not a crime.

The Guardian

Kearney did give one interview last month, however – speaking in private to US Senate officials.

The Guardian - Tech

However, speaking American with a Puerto Rican-Spanish accent was not good enough for Del Toro.

The Guardian - Film

Today, however, speaking to a domestic audience, Mr. Putin gave no hint of flexibility.

The New York Times

However, speaking to Donald McRae five years ago, he highlighted his difficulties.

The Guardian - Sport

We are not, however, speaking of the impossible here -- Keyshawn did talk.

The New York Times - Sports

He added, "However, speaking for freedom is not the same thing as using U.S. military force.

The New Yorker

Historians, however, speaking at a news conference in Florence, emphasized that the research was "not conclusive".

The New York Times

However, speaking to Radio Times in 2008, he said: "Of course I regret it.

Independent

However, speaking to the social care network, Dilnot said he believed the group's recommendations were "very positive" overall.

The Guardian

However, speaking to Graham Norton on his television show in the summer, Nesbitt denied he was up for the part.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the grammatically awkward phrase "however speaking", opt for clearer alternatives like "however, speaking" or "that being said" to ensure your writing is both accurate and easily understood.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "however speaking" intending to convey "however, when speaking about something", but it lacks grammatical correctness. To avoid this, always ensure a comma separates "however" from the participle phrase or use a more appropriate connector like "that said".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however speaking" functions as a conjunction attempting to introduce a contrast or shift in perspective. Ludwig AI indicates this usage is grammatically incorrect, although common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "however speaking" is frequently encountered, it is grammatically incorrect according to Ludwig AI. It's an attempt to introduce a contrasting point, but clearer alternatives like "however, speaking", "that said", or "on the other hand" should be preferred. Predominantly found in News & Media, its use in formal contexts is discouraged due to the grammatical error. Always prioritize grammatical correctness to ensure clarity and credibility in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that said

A shorter, more direct way to introduce a contrasting idea.

on the other hand

Highlights an alternative perspective or contrasting point.

that being said

Replaces "however speaking" to introduce a contrasting point after a previous statement.

having said that

Similar to "that being said", it indicates a contrast or qualification to the preceding statement.

nonetheless speaking

Replaces "however speaking" to signal a contrastive point while maintaining a similar structure.

nevertheless speaking

Similar to "nonetheless speaking", indicates a contrastive point.

conversely speaking

Emphasizes a direct opposite or contrasting viewpoint.

in contrast speaking

Similar to "conversely", it highlights a difference or opposition.

yet speaking

Introduces a contrasting element, often unexpected given the previous context.

still speaking

Indicates that despite a previous point, the speaker is addressing some part of the previous idea.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "however" with a participle phrase?

Ensure a comma separates "however" from the participle phrase. For example, instead of "however speaking", use "however, speaking" or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

What phrases can I use instead of "however speaking"?

You can use alternatives like "that said", "having said that", or "on the other hand" to introduce a contrasting point.

Is "however speaking" grammatically correct?

No, "however speaking" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use "however, speaking" or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

What's the difference between "however speaking" and "however, speaking"?

"However speaking" is generally considered incorrect. Adding a comma, as in "however, speaking", creates a grammatically sound structure where "however" modifies the sentence, and "speaking" is part of a participle phrase.