it however was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it however was" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a contrasting statement or to emphasize a point after a previous statement. Example: "The weather was terrible; it however was the perfect day for a picnic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

It, however, was never so applied.

Cornell University

Too much of it, however, was far too genteel.

The Guardian - Music

Attached to it, however, was a printed card.

The New Yorker

All of it, however, was to no avail.

The Guardian

Recognition for it, however, was slow in coming.

Britannica

Part of it, however, was also that his company had a lot of products to unveil.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

(Pronouncing it, however, is problematic).

The New York Times - Magazine

Behind it, however, is a bigger trend.

The Economist

"Implementing it, however, is sometimes difficult".

The New York Times

Reading it, however, is not so simple.

The New York Times - Science

His attitude towards it, however, is complex.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it however was", ensure the preceding clause clearly establishes the context to which "it" refers. This maintains clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it however was" when a simpler conjunction like "but" or "yet" would suffice. Overusing "however" can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it however was" functions as a conjunctive phrase, linking two clauses while introducing a contrast or qualification. Ludwig AI shows that it commonly connects a preceding statement with a subsequent, often unexpected, outcome.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it however was" is a conjunctive phrase used to introduce a contrast or qualification. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in various contexts, including news, academic writing, and encyclopedias. While effective in signaling a contrasting element, it's important to be mindful of potentially simpler alternatives like "but" or "yet" to avoid unnecessary formality. The phrase finds itself rooted in neutrality, serving as an effective transition between statements, adding an element of surprise or unexpected outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet it was

Replaces "however" with "yet", maintaining the contrasting effect with a slightly more concise structure.

still it was

Replaces "however" with "still", emphasizing the continuation of a state despite a prior condition.

but it was

Uses "but" as a simple conjunction to introduce a contrast.

nevertheless it was

Employs "nevertheless" for a more formal and emphatic contrast.

nonetheless it was

Similar to "nevertheless", offering a formal alternative for expressing contrast.

even so it was

Indicates that despite a previous statement, the following point remains true.

despite that it was

Explicitly states that the following point is true despite a preceding circumstance.

in spite of that it was

Similar to 'despite that', it emphasizes the contrast.

however, it has been

Changes the verb tense to present perfect and adds comma after however.

on the other hand, it was

Introduces a completely new perspective while establishing a clear contrast with what was said before.

FAQs

How can I use "it however was" in a sentence?

The phrase "it however was" is used to introduce a contrasting element or unexpected outcome following a previous statement. For example: "The plan seemed foolproof; "it however was" riddled with flaws."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "it however was"?

Similar phrases include "yet it was", "still it was", or "but it was". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it however was" considered formal or informal?

"It however was" tends to lean toward the formal side, especially when simpler conjunctions could be used. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

Can I start a sentence with "it however was"?

While grammatically possible, starting a sentence with "it however was" can sound awkward. It is generally better to include it within a sentence, following the initial clause it contrasts.