however to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "however to" is not correct and usable in written English as it lacks clarity and proper context.
It is typically used incorrectly as it combines two contrasting ideas without a clear connection or structure. Example: "I wanted to go for a walk; however to my surprise, it started raining."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It might matter, however, to HBO.

The New Yorker

It was impossible, however, to really know.

The New Yorker

However, to such textiles Chanel is cold.

The New Yorker

Not, however, to the halls of power.

The Economist

It was time, however, to get tough.

The New Yorker

It's important, however, to check specifics.

The New York Times

However, to achieve that 155 m.p.h.

The New York Times

The company declined, however, to provide details.

The New York Times

She did not promise, however, to perform.

The New York Times - Arts

None, however, to rejoice with.

The Guardian - Books

He was, however, to fail.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternative phrases like "nevertheless", "nonetheless", or "on the other hand" for more formal and grammatically sound writing.

Common error

Avoid directly connecting "however" with an infinitive ("to + verb") without a clause. Instead, ensure it introduces a full sentence or use a different construction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however to" functions as an attempted adverbial connector, aiming to introduce a contrast or exception. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically incorrect because it lacks a complete clause following "however".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "however to" appears with relative frequency across diverse sources, including reputable news outlets, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. Its intended function is to introduce a contrast or exception, but its improper construction undermines its effectiveness. For clear and grammatically sound writing, it's advisable to use alternatives such as "nevertheless", "nonetheless", or rephrase the sentence to include a complete clause after "however". Pay attention to the intended meaning when looking for a replacement, especially when referring to purpose, e.g. "however, in order to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however, that being said

Introduces a contrast following a previous statement or situation.

but in order to

Expresses a contrasting idea while introducing a purpose or goal.

on the other hand, to

Introduces a contrasting viewpoint or consideration.

however, in order to

Adds a purpose-driven aspect to the contrast; indicates the reason behind the exception.

nevertheless, to

A more formal alternative that indicates contrast or concession.

however, so as to

Expresses purpose or intention in the context of a contrast.

nonetheless, to

Another formal way to express contrast, emphasizing that the following statement is true despite the previous one.

however, with the aim to

Specifies the intention or objective behind the contrasting action or statement.

however, as a result

Connects the contrasting statement to a consequence, specifying the outcome.

yet to

Expresses a contrasting idea, or an expectation that is not fulfilled. Shorter alternative, same register.

FAQs

Is "however to" grammatically correct?

No, "however to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. "However" typically introduces a contrasting statement and should be followed by a complete clause. Use "nevertheless" or "on the other hand" instead.

What are some alternatives to "however to" that are grammatically correct?

Grammatically sound alternatives include phrases like "however, in order to", "but in order to", or using "however" to introduce a complete contrasting statement. You could also consider "yet to" depending on the context.

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

Ensure that "however" is followed by a complete clause (subject + verb + object). For example: "I wanted to go; however, I was too tired." Alternatively, use it as an interrupter: "The movie, however, was not as good as the book."

What's the difference between "however" and "but"?

"However" is generally considered more formal than "but". Both introduce a contrasting idea, but "however" often requires a semicolon or period before it or is set off by commas. "But" can directly connect two independent clauses. For example: "I tried my best, but I failed." versus "I tried my best; however, I failed."