however when I

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'however when I' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a contrast with a previous statement. For example, "I had decided to take a break from the project; however, when I learned that my team needed me, I changed my mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

However, when I was young, there was no corner.

The Guardian

However, when I tried squeezing them, no clogged debris could be released.

The New York Times

However, when I got near that level, my ambitions were regularly dismissed.

The Guardian

However, when I do have a party I will do it right".

The New York Times

That wasn't the case, however, when I became a trial lawyer litigating civil and business cases.

The New York Times

My elation faded slightly, however, when I realised the consequences of this milestone.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

All of this changed, however, when I attended Kwame's own end-of-year extravaganza.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

However, when I was 17, I did spend 6 months in Taiwan".

The New York Times

"However, when I recently stopped attending meetings regularly, I suffered a setback.

The New York Times

That night, however, when I heard myself screaming, "Condoleezza Rice is a liar!

The New York Times

However, when I moved to an inner-London borough a year later, things were somewhat different.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance readability, consider placing a comma after "however" to set it apart from the following "when I" clause, especially in longer sentences.

Common error

Avoid using "however when I" when there is no actual contrast to be made. This conjunction signals a change in direction or perspective, so ensure your sentence genuinely presents opposing ideas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however when I" functions as a contrastive conjunction, introducing a statement that contrasts with or modifies a previous one, specifically in relation to the speaker's experience. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "however when I" is a versatile construction used to introduce a contrasting statement based on personal experience. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in News & Media. While effective, remember to use it genuinely contrasting contexts to maintain clarity. Consider alternatives like "yet when I" or "but when I" for variations in tone. When employing "however when I", ensure the "when I" clause directly relates to the contrasting point to avoid ambiguity and emphasize the personal connection to the contrasting information. Overall, this phrase is useful for adding nuance and personal perspective to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet when I

Replaces "however" with "yet", maintaining a similar contrasting meaning but with a slightly less formal tone.

but when I

Substitutes "however" with "but", offering a more direct and simple contrast.

although when I

Uses "although" instead of "however", creating a subordinate clause that introduces a contrasting idea.

even so when I

Employs "even so" as a substitute for "however", emphasizing a contrast despite a preceding statement.

nevertheless when I

Replaces "however" with "nevertheless", providing a more formal and emphatic contrast.

still when I

Uses "still" to indicate a contrast while maintaining a sense of continuity with what was previously mentioned.

nonetheless when I

Similar to "nevertheless", "nonetheless" provides a strong contrast in a slightly more concise manner.

in spite of that when I

This phrase is more verbose but conveys the same contrasting meaning as "however".

despite that when I

Comparable to "in spite of that", offering a contrastive element with a bit more emphasis.

on the other hand when I

This phrase introduces a contrasting viewpoint or situation, providing a balanced perspective.

FAQs

What does "however when I" mean in a sentence?

The phrase "however when I" introduces a contrast or exception to a previous statement, specifically tied to a situation or action involving the speaker. It's a way to present a different outcome or perspective that occurred at a specific time.

Can I use "but when I" instead of "however when I"?

Yes, "but when I" can often be used as a more informal alternative to "however when I". Both phrases introduce a contrasting element related to a personal experience or action. The choice depends on the desired tone and formality of your writing.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "however when I"?

Starting a sentence directly with "however when I" is less common but grammatically correct. The phrase "however" typically connects two clauses or sentences. Starting with "however when I" places emphasis on the contrastive element connected to the speaker's action or situation. For more clarity, it's often preferable to include it within a sentence.

What are some alternatives to "however when I" to indicate contrast?

Alternatives to "however when I" include phrases like "yet when I", "although when I", or "even so when I". These phrases introduce a contrasting element while specifying a condition or situation related to the speaker's actions.