however that may be

USAGE SUMMARY

"however that may be" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express a certain neutrality or acceptance of something, as if to indicate that a discussion of the topic is at an end. For example, "The current economic situation is dire, however that may be."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

However, that may be changing.

The New York Times

However, that may be no bad thing.

Independent

(When times improve, however, that may be worth reconsidering).

The New York Times

With a global recession, however, that may be changing.

The New York Times - Science

For many Americans, however, that may be a minor detail.

The Guardian - Sport

With the breeding season traditionally ending around July 4, however, that may be problematic.

The New York Times - Sports

However that may be, Libya was singled out to be a test case.

The New Yorker

Finding something affordable -- however that may be defined -- is critical, especially for young people with unpredictable incomes.

The New York Times

However that may be, The Great British Bake Off has been as light and joyous as a bavarois.

The Guardian - Opinion

However that may be, it is certainly true that on political grounds alone there was reason for Sir Anthony's resignation.

The Guardian

However, that may be a costly strategy for high-income taxpayers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "however that may be" to smoothly transition between conflicting ideas or to acknowledge a point before presenting a counter-argument. It adds a touch of neutrality and acceptance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "however that may be" excessively in casual conversations or informal writing. Its slightly formal tone can sound out of place in relaxed settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however that may be" functions as a transitional phrase, often used to concede a point before introducing a contrasting or qualifying statement. It adds a layer of acknowledgment before presenting a differing perspective. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "however that may be" is a versatile transitional phrase used to acknowledge a previous point before introducing a contrasting or qualifying statement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and grammatical correctness. It's commonly found in news and media, science, and encyclopedic sources, indicating a formal to neutral register. While effective in formal writing, overuse in informal contexts should be avoided. Alternatives such as "be that as it may" or "nevertheless" offer similar functions with slightly different connotations, allowing writers to fine-tune their expression. When crafting your content, the primary thing is to use "however that may be" to create fluid transitions between contrasting ideas in a way that is subtle, and above all, effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be that as it may

A classic idiom expressing acceptance of a situation despite reservations.

that being said

Introduces a contrasting point following an initial statement.

regardless of what the case may be

Highlights the irrelevance of the specific details of the situation.

despite the foregoing

A formal way of indicating that the following statement is true regardless of what has been said before.

nevertheless that might be the situation

Rephrases the idea with a more formal tone, emphasizing the existing circumstances.

in any event

Shifts focus to the overall outcome or conclusion.

even so

A shorter, more concise way to indicate acceptance despite a preceding statement.

at any rate

Similar to "in any event", suggesting a move towards a final point.

despite all that

Emphasizes a contrast with previously mentioned information.

come what may

Expresses a sense of acceptance or resignation to whatever happens.

FAQs

How can I use "however that may be" in a sentence?

Use "however that may be" to acknowledge a previous statement or situation before introducing a related but contrasting point. For example, "The project faced numerous setbacks; "however that may be", we managed to deliver it on time."

What phrases are similar to "however that may be"?

Alternatives include "be that as it may", "nevertheless", or "that being said". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "however that may be" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "however that may be" is suitable for formal writing, adding a nuanced transition between ideas. It's more formal than alternatives like "but" or "anyway".

What's the difference between "however that may be" and "despite this"?

"However that may be" is used to acknowledge a preceding point, often with a sense of acceptance, while "despite this" directly contrasts with the previous statement, highlighting a contradiction or unexpected outcome.