however they

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "however they" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a contrasting idea or exception related to a subject previously mentioned. Example: "The project was successful; however, they faced several challenges along the way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Increasingly, however, they don't.

The Economist

However, they bring togetherness.

Independent

Divided, however, they fall.

Independent

However, they will die".

The Guardian - Books

However, they finally failed".

The Guardian

However, they are important.

The Guardian

However, they denied beheading them.

The New York Times

Soon, however, they were laughing.

The New York Times

However, they were all ignored".

Independent

However, they are not common.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, they don't look alike.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "however they", ensure the contrasting statement is genuinely relevant and provides new information, not merely a restatement of the obvious.

Common error

Avoid using "however they" when the contrast is weak or nonexistent. Overuse can weaken your writing and make the contrasting points seem less significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however they" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It serves to introduce a contrast or contradiction to a previous statement, similar to how Ludwig presents various examples where an unexpected outcome or situation arises. In other words, it sets up an exception.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

32%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "however they" is a versatile conjunctive adverbial used to introduce contrasting information. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. With a high frequency across various sources such as News & Media, Science, and Wiki, it serves primarily to signal a shift in perspective or to present a conflict with prior information. While alternatives such as "nevertheless they" or "nonetheless they" exist, "however they" maintains a neutral tone and is widely accepted in modern English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nevertheless they

Emphasizes the contrast despite a preceding statement.

nonetheless they

Similar to "nevertheless they", but can suggest a slightly stronger emphasis on the contrasting point.

even so they

Indicates that the following statement is true despite what has just been said.

but they still

A more direct and simple way to introduce a contrast.

yet they

A concise way to show contrast, often used in more formal writing.

despite that they

Highlights the fact that something occurs in spite of a previous condition.

in spite of that they

Similar to "despite that they", but slightly more emphatic.

however, still they

Adds emphasis by including "however" and reinforcing with "still".

on the other hand, they

Introduces a completely different perspective or point of view.

conversely, they

Indicates a direct opposition or reversal of the previous statement.

FAQs

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

Use "however they" to introduce a contrasting statement following an initial claim. For example, "The initial reports were promising; "however they" later proved inaccurate".

What phrases are similar to "however they"?

Alternatives include "nevertheless they", "nonetheless they", or "even so they", each carrying slightly different nuances of contrast.

Is it always necessary to include a comma after "however" when using "however they"?

Yes, including a comma after "however" in the phrase "however, they" is grammatically correct. Omitting the comma could lead to misreading or ambiguity.

What is the difference between "however they" and "but they"?

"However they" is generally more formal than "but they", which is a simpler and more direct way to introduce a contrasting statement. "However they" adds a degree of sophistication to the writing.