however surprisingly

USAGE SUMMARY

'however surprisingly' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to introduce ideas that are contrary to expectations. For example, "However surprisingly, there was no sign of rain despite the forecast."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dinosaur footprints are, however, surprisingly abundant.

The Economist

However, surprisingly little is understood of its life and behaviour.

Britannica

However, surprisingly few studies have investigated this phenomenon.

Advances in Water Resources

Sequel 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand was, however, surprisingly decent.

The Guardian - Tech

However, surprisingly we did not find root architecture to be clearly adaptable towards AMF.

Rhizosphere

However, surprisingly, this key operating variable has not been investigated in detail.

Energy

However, surprisingly little research and few evaluations of programmes have been undertaken.

Habitat International

However, surprisingly, PPARα mRNA was absent in bone marrow as revealed by RT-PCR.

Biochemical Pharmacology

However, surprisingly little is known about the advantages and disadvantages of what types of things are being compared.

Harvard University

However, surprisingly little is known regarding hepatocyte-intrinsic factors that regulate hepatic and extrahepatic responses to fasting.

Nature

However, surprisingly little effort has gone into the study of what happens when these structures become damaged.

Animal Behaviour

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "however surprisingly" to introduce a fact or observation that contradicts a previous statement or general expectation. This can add emphasis and highlight the unexpected nature of the information.

Common error

While effective, "however surprisingly" can sometimes sound redundant in very formal contexts. Consider using a stronger contrasting word like "nevertheless" or restructuring the sentence for a more concise effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however surprisingly" functions as an adverbial conjunction, modifying the clause it introduces. It serves to indicate a contrast or unexpected element in relation to the preceding statement. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "however surprisingly" serves as an effective adverbial conjunction to introduce unexpected or contrasting information. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in written English. While grammatically sound and suitable for a range of contexts from neutral to formal, it should be used judiciously to avoid redundancy, especially in highly formal writing. Consider replacing it with semantically similar phrases like "unexpectedly however" or "surprisingly though" to improve the stylistic tone and make it more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpectedly however

Changes the order of adverbs emphasizing the unexpectedness.

surprisingly though

Replaces "however" with "though" for a more informal tone.

yet surprisingly

Uses "yet" to introduce the contrast, maintaining the surprise element.

but surprisingly

Substitutes "however" with "but", simplifying the conjunction.

contrary to expectations

Replaces the adverbs with a descriptive phrase, altering the structure.

against all odds

Emphasizes the improbability of the outcome, adding a dramatic flair.

what's surprising is that

Highlights the element of surprise by placing it at the beginning of the sentence.

in an unexpected turn of events

Introduces a narrative element, highlighting the change in circumstances.

though it seems counterintuitive

Emphasizes the contrast with what might be logically expected.

it is surprising to note that

Presents the information as a surprising observation, increasing formality.

FAQs

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

You can use "however surprisingly" to introduce a piece of information that contrasts with what was previously stated or expected. For instance, "The stock market crashed; "however surprisingly", some investors made a profit."

What are some alternatives to using "however surprisingly"?

Alternatives include "unexpectedly however", "surprisingly though", or "contrary to expectations". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "however surprisingly" grammatically correct?

Yes, "however surprisingly" is grammatically correct. According to Ludwig AI, it's fine to use it for written English. It effectively combines an adversative conjunction with an adverb to introduce an element of surprise or contradiction.

Is there a difference between "however, surprisingly" and "however surprisingly"?

While both are grammatically acceptable, "however surprisingly" can read as more integrated and less disruptive to the sentence flow than "however, surprisingly", which uses a more marked separation. The version with the comma gives more emphasis to the surprise itself.