however wow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "however wow" is not standard in written English and may come across as informal or awkward. It could be used in casual contexts to express surprise or contrast, but it's best to use it sparingly. For example: "I thought the movie would be boring; however, wow, it was amazing!" Alternative expressions include "but wow" and "yet wow."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The (unnecessary) fireworks shot off into the sky upon his departure do, however, wow her, as she watches Joe's limo pull away.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Still, wow".

Los Angeles Times

It does, however, run WoW at well over 50 fps sustained.

TechCrunch

When it came time for Jordan to sing, however, he wowed the judges with a Celine Dion cover.

Huffington Post

The inequality should certainly, however, worry a WOW supporter such as the Duchess of Cornwall.

The Guardian - Opinion

What they do not provide, however, is the "Wow, what's that?" double take that a classy home-built provokes at the local airport.

The New York Times

He returns from his rehearsal, however, visibly shaken: "Wow, that was really horrific!" "Can you imagine this show reversed?" asks Sensitive Boy, a handsome artist who agreed to do the show for a laugh.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

(wow) However, the small size does come with some compromises.

TechCrunch

However, he added: "Wow, I'm 18 years old, I've played in the Premier League over 50 times and now I have a cap for England and not many 18-year-olds can say that.

BBC

However, all of Wow's flights have layovers in Reykjavik, Iceland, and your ticket price won't include seat selection or carry-on bags beyond a backpack.

Huffington Post

As a series of wow effects, however, it's frothily charming — and intensely reminiscent of the amalgam of rock classicism and avant-garde fashion that the British choreographer Michael Clark (currently working with the musician Jarvis Cocker at the Whitney Museum in New York) developed in the mid-1980s.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "however wow" sparingly, primarily in informal contexts where you want to express surprise or contrast in a succinct manner. For more formal writing, opt for alternatives like "nevertheless, wow" or rephrase the sentence entirely.

Common error

Avoid using "however wow" in academic papers, business reports, or other formal documents. The phrase's informal nature can undermine the credibility of your writing. A phrase as informal as this may appear sarcastic, so consider your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however wow" functions primarily as an interjectional phrase. It combines a conjunction ("however") with an expression of surprise or amazement ("wow"). It often serves to introduce a surprising or unexpected element after a contrasting statement. This is supported by Ludwig, which demonstrates the phrase's use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "however wow" is an informal expression used to convey surprise or contrast, typically found in casual contexts. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically acceptable, though uncommon, and primarily utilized in News & Media. For formal writing, alternatives like "nevertheless wow" or rephrasing the sentence is recommended. While not strictly incorrect, overusing "however wow" in professional settings can diminish your message's impact. Though not as common, the phrase does serve as a conjunction expressing astonishment or surprise, and other phrases such as "but wow", or "yet wow" can be used depending on the emphasis the writer wishes to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet wow

Replaces "however" with "yet", offering a slightly more concise expression of surprise.

but wow

Substitutes "however" with "but", creating a simpler and more direct expression of surprise or amazement.

still wow

Replaces "however" with "still", indicating that despite something, there's an element of surprise.

nevertheless wow

Offers a more formal alternative to "however", while maintaining the sense of contrast and surprise.

despite that wow

Replaces "however" with a prepositional phrase, emphasizing the contrast preceding the surprise.

even so wow

Similar to "nevertheless", providing a slightly more conversational tone while indicating surprise.

that said wow

Introduces the surprising element as a separate point after acknowledging a previous statement.

with that wow

Implies that the wow factor is happening alongside a prior event.

conversely wow

Suggests a reversal or opposite outcome leading to surprise.

notwithstanding wow

Another more formal equivalent of "however" but with a sense of wonder.

FAQs

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

You can use "however wow" to express surprise or contrast, like in the sentence "I didn't expect much from the movie; however wow, it was amazing!"

What are some alternatives to "however wow"?

Alternatives to "however wow" include "but wow", "yet wow", or "still wow". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "however wow" grammatically correct?

"However wow" is not strictly grammatically correct in formal English. It's a more informal expression used to convey surprise or mild shock after a contrasting statement. It is regarded as acceptable in some casual contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "however wow"?

It's most appropriate to use "however wow" in informal settings, such as casual conversations or personal writing, where a relaxed and expressive tone is desired. Consider the context; a news title reading "nevertheless wow" would not be unusual as newspapers may desire an informal tone.