or nevertheless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "or nevertheless" is not correct and does not work well in written English.
You can use "nevertheless" on its own to indicate a contrast or concession, but combining it with "or" is unnecessary and awkward. Example: "I was tired; nevertheless, I decided to go for a run."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

In most of the English-speaking world, "notwithstanding" is an overly long synonym for "in spite of" or "nevertheless".

The New York Times

Technically, her motto, Quand même, means "All the same" or "Nevertheless," but in Bern­hardt's hands it comes off as a jaunty "So what?" Indisputably, her background was grim.

The New York Times - Books

Four different recordings were played with either praise words (such as "well done!") or neutral words (such as "however" or "nevertheless") coupled with either a high-pitched intonation indicative of praise, or a neutral intonation.

The Guardian

I do not know what budgets are given to a programme such as yours,however(I think my favourite word in writing, I can never bring in moreover or nevertheless!) if you can do a programme on Africa, choosing your own parts, it would be stimulating.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

You can also use transitional adverbs such as "additionally" (or "moreover"), "nevertheless" (or "however"), "therefore" (or "thus"), and "alternatively" (or "instead" or "otherwise").

WikiHow

And these software interfaces run on black boxes like a laptop or smartphone, nevertheless the actual computing or executing part of these devices stays invisible.

Vice

Nevertheless, OR directions were consistent with those previously published.

BMC Genomics

Some donors that failed to exhibit increases in ALPL activity or expression nevertheless exhibited expected patterns for other osteogenic markers (e.g., IBSP expression or calcium content).

Nature

States with no oil or gas nevertheless demanded a decent whack.

The Economist

Admittedly, the Duke has several dozen more guest bedrooms than you or I. Nevertheless, as a month's occupation it seemed rather thin.

The Guardian

In particular, if 1 chose D it's really irrelevant whether Player 2 has chosen L or R. Nevertheless, the strategy has to specify what Player 2 would do were he called upon to make that move.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to present an alternative followed by a contrast, separate the ideas. For instance, present the alternative with "or", then start a new sentence with "Nevertheless,", "However,", or a similar adverbial phrase.

Common error

A common mistake is to combine conjunctions unnecessarily, creating awkward phrasing. Instead of combining "or" with "nevertheless", choose the single best connector to show contrast, concession, or exception. For example, prefer "However," or "Still," for a smoother sentence flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "or nevertheless" attempts to function as a connector indicating an alternative followed by a contrast. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this combination is grammatically incorrect. The examples demonstrate an attempt to introduce a contrasting element after presenting an alternative.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "or nevertheless" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and stylistically awkward. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, combining the conjunction "or", which indicates an alternative, with the adverb "nevertheless", which introduces a contrast, creates a confusing and ineffective sentence structure. Although instances of its use can be found across various contexts like News, Science, and Academia, the phrase's rarity and questionable grammatical status suggest it should be avoided in favor of clearer alternatives, such as ""or however"" or starting a new sentence with "Nevertheless". Using single, clear connectors ensures more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

or nonetheless

Substitutes "nonetheless" for "nevertheless", offering a synonym that carries the same meaning of 'in spite of that'.

or however

Replaces "nevertheless" with "however", maintaining the contrastive meaning after the alternative introduced by "or".

or still

Uses "still" as a simpler way to indicate that something is true despite something else, fitting after the "or".

or even so

Replaces "nevertheless" with "even so", which also indicates that what follows is true despite what was previously mentioned.

but nevertheless

Emphasizes the contrast more strongly by adding "but" before "nevertheless", clarifying the shift in thought.

or regardless

Uses "regardless" as a concise way to show that something happens without being affected by something else.

yet nevertheless

Similar to "but nevertheless", "yet" reinforces the contrastive aspect while retaining the original term.

or in spite of that

Replaces "nevertheless" with a phrase that explicitly states the contrast.

alternatively, nevertheless

Provides a clearer separation between the alternative and the contrast by using "alternatively" to introduce the choice, followed by "nevertheless".

or be that as it may

Offers a more formal and emphatic way to introduce a contrasting point following an alternative.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "or nevertheless" in a sentence?

Replace "or nevertheless" with a more appropriate conjunction or adverb that accurately reflects the relationship between the ideas you're presenting. Consider using "or however" or starting a new sentence with "Nevertheless,"

What's wrong with using "or nevertheless" in my writing?

The phrase "or nevertheless" is considered grammatically incorrect and stylistically awkward. The conjunction "or" indicates an alternative, while "nevertheless" introduces a contrast. Combining them creates a confusing sentence structure. Consider using "or however" or "but nevertheless".

Are there alternatives to "or nevertheless" that maintain a similar meaning?

Yes, you can use phrases like "or nonetheless" if you want to maintain a similar tone and meaning. However, ensure that the sentence structure makes sense with the chosen alternative.

Is "or nevertheless" ever appropriate in formal writing?

No, "or nevertheless" is generally inappropriate for formal writing due to its awkwardness and lack of grammatical correctness. Opt for clearer and more precise conjunctions or adverbs to convey your intended meaning.