however they are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "however they are" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a contrasting statement or to acknowledge a situation while presenting an alternative perspective. Example: "The results of the experiment were inconclusive; however, they are still valuable for future research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

However, they are important.

The Guardian

However, they are not common.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, they are too inoffensive.

Independent

However, they are also expensive.

The Guardian - Money

Nowadays, however, they are rather profitable.

The Economist

However, they are vulnerable to surprise attacks.

The Economist

However, they are no less consequential.

The New York Times

Mercifully, however, they are still pretty rare.

The New Yorker

These are monstrosities, however they are delivered".

Independent

However, they are rooted in his family.

The Guardian

Sometimes, however, they are shockingly disrespected.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "however they are", ensure the contrast is clear and relevant to the surrounding text. Avoid overuse by varying with alternatives such as "nevertheless they are" or "yet they are".

Common error

Avoid placing a comma directly before "however" when it connects two independent clauses. Instead, use a semicolon or make it two separate sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however they are" functions as a transitional phrase or conjunctive adverbial. It introduces a contrasting element, indicating a shift in perspective or presenting an opposing idea. Ludwig confirms the phrase's validity in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

36%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "however they are" effectively signals contrast or concession. Ludwig AI data shows it's grammatically correct and widely applicable, especially in News & Media and Science. Alternatives like "nevertheless they are" or "yet they are" can add subtle variations. Pay attention to punctuation and clarity when using it. Ludwig's analysis suggests a phrase useful in many contexts, with a generally neutral to formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nevertheless they are

Replaces "however" with a stronger emphasis on the contrasting point.

nonetheless they are

Similar to "nevertheless", but may imply a slightly less direct contrast.

yet they are

Offers a more concise and direct contrast, suitable for shorter sentences.

still they are

Emphasizes that something remains true despite a preceding statement.

even so, they are

Highlights a surprising or unexpected continuation of a situation.

despite this, they are

Explicitly acknowledges a preceding point before introducing the contrast.

that being said, they are

Transitions from a previous statement to introduce a potentially conflicting point.

on the other hand, they are

Introduces a contrasting perspective or possibility.

in spite of that, they are

Similar to "despite this", emphasizing that something exists or is true, challenging what precedes it.

regardless, they are

Indicates that the following statement holds true irrespective of what has been said before.

FAQs

What does "however they are" mean?

The phrase "however they are" introduces a contrast or a seemingly contradictory point to something that has already been stated. It suggests that despite what was previously mentioned, the following statement is still true or relevant.

What are some alternatives to "however they are"?

Alternatives include "nevertheless they are", "nonetheless they are", "yet they are", or "still they are", each offering slightly different nuances of contrast.

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

Use "however they are" to connect two contrasting ideas. For example, "The initial costs are high; however, they are expected to decrease over time."

Is there a difference between "however they are" and "but they are"?

"However they are" is more formal than "but they are". "However" often appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause, providing a more explicit signal of contrast than "but", which is typically used to connect two parts of the same sentence.