it was however

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was however" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
It is used when you want to add an exception or counterpoint to what was said earlier. For example: "The box was supposed to arrive yesterday. It was however delayed due to bad weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

It was, however, cut short.

The Economist

It was, however, methodologically flawed.

The Guardian

It was, however, Trifonov's night.

The Guardian - Music

It was, however, time-consuming.

The Guardian

It was, however, just one week.

The New York Times

It was, however, the most unsettling.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

It is, however, worrying.

The Economist

It is, however, delicious.

The New York Times

It is, however, narrowing.

The Economist

It is, however, unlikely.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is, however, subjective.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was however" to introduce a contrasting point or exception to a previous statement, ensuring a smooth flow of thought. For example, "The initial plan was successful. It was however, unsustainable in the long term."

Common error

Avoid using "it was however" excessively in a single piece of writing, as it can make the text sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure and use alternative phrases like "yet it was" or "still it was" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was however" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It serves to connect two clauses or sentences, introducing a contrast or exception to the idea expressed in the preceding clause. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was however" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a contrasting element or exception to a preceding statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, wikis and encyclopedias. While versatile, writers should avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "yet it was" or "still it was" to enhance readability. The phrase functions as a conjunctive adverbial, helping to connect ideas while signaling a shift in perspective. By understanding its function and appropriate usage, writers can effectively employ "it was however" to add nuance and balance to their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however, it was

Changes the word order while retaining the core meaning of contrast.

yet it was

Replaces 'however' with 'yet', offering a slightly more concise alternative.

still, it was

Uses 'still' in place of 'however' to indicate a contrast or concession.

nevertheless, it was

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

it nonetheless was

Substitutes 'however' with 'nonetheless', maintaining a similar level of formality.

even so, it was

Uses 'even so' to introduce a contrasting element.

that being said, it was

Offers a more conversational alternative for introducing a contrasting statement.

on the other hand, it was

Presents a contrasting perspective using a common idiomatic expression.

despite that, it was

Highlights the contrast by emphasizing that something occurred despite a preceding fact.

in spite of that, it was

Similar to 'despite that', this phrase underscores the unexpected nature of the contrasting element.

FAQs

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

Use "it was however" to introduce a contrasting point or exception to a previous statement. For instance, "The meeting was scheduled for Monday; "it was however" postponed due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "it was however"?

You can use alternatives such as "yet it was", "still it was", or "nevertheless it was", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

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

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "however". However, using "it was however" within a sentence allows for a more nuanced and less abrupt transition.

What is the difference between "it was however" and "however"?

"However" is a versatile conjunction that can stand alone to introduce a contrasting idea. "It was however" specifically refers back to a previous subject or situation, adding a contrasting detail about it. For example, "The plan seemed perfect; "it was however" flawed in its execution."