however while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "however while" is not correct and typically not usable in written English.
It is a combination of two contrasting conjunctions that creates confusion in meaning. Example: "However while I appreciate your input, I must disagree with your conclusion."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

However, while rough surfaces are noticed, they are not hurtful.

The New York Times

However, while lacking organised tourism, Caracas is anything but dull.

The Guardian - Travel

However while it may be rational, it is not reasonable.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, while more businesses start, fewer are surviving and growing.

The Guardian

However, while welcoming this report, I do have some concerns.

The Guardian - Opinion

This practice, however, while arguably reprehensible, wasn't illegal.

The New York Times

However, while exports surged, domestic demand lagged behind.

The Economist

He remained free, however, while appealing his sentence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, while the special effects makeup shows great skill, the writing displays little maturity.

The Guardian - Film

However, while Morrissey is something of a dab hand at controversial statements, they didn't discuss it.

The Guardian - Music

However, while politicians, journalists and police were constantly tweeting about the disorder, rioters were not.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "however while" in your writing. It's grammatically awkward and redundant. Choose a single, clear conjunction to express contrast or concession.

Common error

Don't combine contrasting conjunctions unnecessarily. Instead of "however while", select the most appropriate conjunction based on the nuance you want to convey: "however", "although", "nevertheless", or /s/even+though.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however while" functions as a conjunction, attempting to connect two clauses with a contrasting relationship. However, as pointed out by Ludwig AI, this combination is grammatically questionable and redundant. The examples provided by Ludwig show its presence in various contexts, but this doesn't negate its incorrectness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "however while" appears frequently in various sources, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, it combines two contrasting conjunctions, leading to redundancy and weakening the intended contrast. Instead, opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives like /s/although, /s/nevertheless, or /s/even+though. Prioritizing grammatical correctness enhances the clarity and credibility of your writing, regardless of the context. Remember to choose the single conjunction that best reflects the nuanced relationship between the ideas you're expressing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however, although

Replaces "however while" with a more grammatically sound combination using "however" and "although".

nevertheless, while

Uses "nevertheless" instead of "however" to introduce the contrasting statement, maintaining the "while" clause.

nonetheless, while

Similar to "nevertheless, while", but uses "nonetheless" as a slightly stronger contrast.

yet, while

Replaces "however" with the shorter "yet", creating a more concise contrast.

even though

Substitutes "however while" with the single conjunction "even though" for a more direct concession.

although

Uses "although" alone to introduce a contrasting idea, simplifying the structure.

despite the fact that

Replaces "however while" with a longer phrase that emphasizes the contrast in a more formal manner.

in spite of the fact that

Similar to "despite the fact that", but offers a slightly different tone.

while on the other hand

Uses a combination of "while" and "on the other hand" to show contrast.

that being said

A transitional phrase that introduces a contrasting or qualifying statement.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to use "however while"?

No, the phrase "however while" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It combines two words that express contrast, resulting in redundancy. It's better to choose either "however" or "while", or use alternative conjunctions such as /s/although or /s/nevertheless.

What's a better way to phrase a sentence that starts with "however while"?

Replace "however while" with a single conjunction or a more appropriate phrase. For example, use "however" followed by the main clause, or start with "while" followed by the dependent clause and then introduce the contrasting point using "however", "but", or /s/yet.

Can I use "however while" in informal writing?

Although "however while" appears in some sources, it's best to avoid it even in informal writing. Clear and grammatically correct sentences are always preferable, regardless of the context. Consider using alternatives like /s/although or /s/even+though.

What's the difference between using "however" and "while"?

"However" introduces a contrast to a previous statement. "While" can introduce a subordinate clause that provides background or context, often with an implied contrast. Combining them as "however while" is redundant; choose the one that best fits the logical flow of your sentence, or use /s/although instead.