however unintentionally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "however unintentionally" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to add emphasis or to acknowledge that something was done or said without intention. Example: "He offended his friend, however unintentionally, with his insensitive remark." In this sentence, "however unintentionally" emphasizes that the person did not mean to offend their friend, but it still happened. Another example: "I ruined the surprise for her, however unintentionally, by accidentally mentioning the party in front of her." Here, "however unintentionally" acknowledges that the speaker did not mean to ruin the surprise, but it happened by accident. Overall, "however unintentionally" is a useful phrase to use when you want to highlight unintentional actions or events.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is, however, unintentionally hilarious in several places.

The New York Times

However unintentionally, Government policy is largely to blame.

The Guardian

Even mild criticism seems to be aiding and abetting a broader conspiracy, however unintentionally.

The Guardian - Opinion

No one likes to be the bearer of bad tidings, however unintentionally.

The Guardian - Sport

Happily, the Tax Foundation — a conservative Washington-based think tank — has, however unintentionally, provided the answer.

The Washington Post

The Scott report found that his behaviour was "however unintentionally... apt to give rise to... suspicion".

The Guardian

Clinton was, however unintentionally — or maybe intentionally — equating his own political aims with divine revelation.

The Washington Post

Abstractions may, however, unintentionally exclude critical details, leading to partial or false results.

Nonlinear Analysis: Hybrid Systems

By suggesting how women should react, you are (however unintentionally) implicating them in their own assault.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The cease-fire arrangement with the Serbs, however, unintentionally has forced the peacekeepers to worry about just that.

The New York Times

Deadsy is one of the many bands redefining, however unintentionally, Los Angeles's hair-band-and-metal music scene.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "however unintentionally" to soften the impact of a statement, acknowledging that negative consequences were not intended. This can help to mitigate blame or defensiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "however unintentionally" as a blanket excuse. While acknowledging the lack of intent is important, it doesn't negate the responsibility for the actual consequences of your actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however unintentionally" functions as an adverbial modifier. It modifies a verb or clause, indicating the manner in which an action was performed, specifically emphasizing that the action was not intended. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

15%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "however unintentionally" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to emphasize the lack of intent behind an action, especially when the outcome is negative. Ludwig AI underlines its correct usage and high frequency. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to clarify intent and soften impact. When writing, use it to provide context and mitigate blame, but avoid using it as a way to avoid responsibility for the consequences of actions. Consider also using synonyms like "inadvertently" or "without meaning to" to diversify your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unintentionally though

Reorders the original phrase for a slightly different emphasis.

without intending to

Focuses on the lack of intent behind the action.

without meaning to

Similar to "without intending to", emphasizing the lack of deliberate action.

inadvertently

A single word conveying lack of awareness or intention.

unwittingly

Suggests a lack of awareness or knowledge.

accidentally

Highlights the accidental nature of the action.

not by design

Emphasizes that the outcome was not planned or intentional.

by mistake

Indicates an error or unintentional action.

on impulse

Highlights the spontaneous, unplanned nature of the action.

fortuitously

It is typically used to describe accidental positive events or circumstances.

FAQs

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

Use "however unintentionally" to acknowledge that an action had unintended consequences. For example: "He offended his colleague, "however unintentionally", with his insensitive joke."

What are some alternatives to "however unintentionally"?

You can use alternatives such as "inadvertently", "without meaning to", or "accidentally" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to use "however unintentionally" when describing unintended actions?

No, it's not always necessary. Use it when you want to specifically emphasize the lack of intent, especially when the consequences are negative or could be perceived as deliberate.

What's the difference between "however unintentionally" and "intentionally"?

"However unintentionally" indicates that an action was not planned or meant to happen, while "intentionally" means that the action was deliberate and on purpose.