however to date

USAGE SUMMARY

"however to date" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to introduce a contrasting statement in the form of a contrastive clause. For example: "The device has been tested extensively, however to date no successful implementation has been achieved."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, to date, the evidence is equivocal.

Pedobiologia

However, to date, such studies mainly deal with spherical particles.

Chemical Engineering Science

However, to date, this has not been easily achieved.

Nature

However, to date, test flights have gone badly.

The Guardian

However, to date they remain underdeveloped as therapeutic delivery vehicles.

Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering

However, to date, reliable detection has not been possible.

Gastroenterology

However, to date no viable pilot plant exists using this technology.

Chemical Engineering Science

However, to date, very few catchment-scale sediment budget investigations have been carried out in Brazil.

Journal of Hydrology

However, to date, insight into the infiltration behaviour of elemental mercury DNAPL is lacking.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

However, to date, there have been few pertinent studies on the freight transportation sector.

Journal of Transport Geography

However, to date, evidence of success in achieving it is very thin indeed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "however to date" to acknowledge prior efforts or expectations, then introduce new realities or limitations that currently exist. It provides a balanced view of past versus present.

Common error

Avoid using "however to date" simply as a transitional phrase. It's crucial to establish a clear contrast with a previous statement or expectation. Without that contrast, the phrase loses its effectiveness and can sound awkward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however to date" functions as a contrastive adverbial phrase. It modifies a clause by introducing a contrasting element and specifying that the contrast exists up to the present time. Ludwig confirms that this is a correct and usable construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "however to date" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase that introduces a contrast or limitation up to the present time. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English.

Predominantly found in science, news, and formal business contexts, it functions to acknowledge a prior statement and then present a contrasting reality. Common alternatives include "as of yet" and "up until now". When using "however to date", it's important to ensure a clear and significant contrast is established to effectively highlight the change or gap in circumstances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as of now

Similar to "as of yet", it is a more direct substitution for "to date", keeping the meaning intact.

up until now

Replaces "to date" with "until now", slightly altering the emphasis on the temporal aspect.

thus far

A concise synonym for "up until now", suitable for formal contexts.

but so far

Emphasizes the contrast while maintaining the temporal aspect, making it a slight variation.

as of yet

Changes the construction to a more concise phrase indicating a situation persisting until the present moment.

to this point

Substitutes "to date" with "to this point", maintaining similar meaning but less common.

until the present day

Offers a more emphatic and slightly formal way of expressing the temporal boundary.

at this stage

Indicates a specific moment in a process, which provides contrast to prior expectations.

as things stand

Shifts the focus to the current situation, implying a limitation based on the present state of affairs.

in the current climate

Highlights the impact of the existing conditions, providing a reason for the limitation.

FAQs

How can I use "however to date" in a sentence?

Use "however to date" to introduce a contrasting statement or limitation while also indicating a timeframe up to the present. For instance, "The research showed promise, "however to date", no practical applications have emerged."

What are some alternatives to "however to date"?

Alternatives include "as of yet", "up until now", or "to this point", which maintain a similar meaning while offering different stylistic nuances.

Is "however to date" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "however to date" is suitable for formal writing, especially in academic or professional contexts where a clear contrast and temporal reference are required. The appropriateness is confirmed by Ludwig and its various examples.

What's the difference between "however to date" and "nevertheless"?

"However to date" includes a temporal aspect, indicating that something is true up until the present moment, while "nevertheless" simply introduces a contrast without explicitly referencing time. Therefore, "however to date" will introduce a situation or condition up until the present.