originally however

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "originally however" is not correct and does not work well in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a contrast or change in thought, but the placement of "originally" before "however" disrupts the flow and clarity of the sentence. Example: "Originally, the plan was to meet at noon; however, we decided to change it to 3 PM."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Originally, however, monks were laymen.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Originally, however, this curry flavouring was best known for spicing up Constance Spry's famous Coronation chicken.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Originally, however, it referred to the site directly beneath a detonated atomic bomb.

Poetics

Originally, however, he had agreed to submit a patent application jointly with Morton and to share in the profits.

The New York Times - Books

Carboniferous ages younger than ca. 315 Ma suggesting a possible contribution from the Central-Iberian Zone originally; however, these zircons may be multi-cyclic, having been reworked from Eocene Miocene siliciclastic deposits related to transport from central Iberia Lowerr Tagus basin drainage evolution).

Sedimentary Geology

EMT has been developed for the estimation of the overall conductivity of a multiphase material originally, however, this can be applied to variety of situations in disordered or random networks.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Even if you have no need to plug in a different SIM card than what was originally intended, however, Blacksn0w still has its perks.

TechCrunch

When they were originally formed, however, they played a valuable role in raising capital for entrepreneurs and businesses that needed funding.

The New Yorker

The bill has proved somewhat more expensive than originally estimated, however, with a total budget impact of about $825 billion over 10 years rather than $787 billion.

The New York Times

Business spending in the third quarter was weaker than originally estimated, however; and most forecasters reckon that a rebound in corporate spending is required for any sustained recovery.

The Economist

This division reflects where the deer originally evolved; however, now it is not a geographical distinction but instead derives from their different foot structures.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "originally however" as it can disrupt the flow of your writing. Instead, consider rephrasing the sentence for clarity.

Common error

Placing "originally" directly before "however" creates an unnatural pause and can confuse readers. Reordering the sentence to place "originally" at the beginning improves readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "originally however" functions as a conjunction phrase, aiming to connect two contrasting ideas where one is the original state and the other is a change or modification. However, Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically incorrect, disrupting sentence flow and clarity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

24%

News & Media

24%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "originally however" attempts to convey a contrast between an initial state and a subsequent change, it's considered grammatically awkward and disrupts sentence flow. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrasing is not ideal for clear communication. Instead, consider using alternatives such as "initially, however", "originally, though", or rephrasing the sentence to improve readability. These alternatives provide smoother transitions and enhance the overall clarity of your writing, making your message more effective. Remember that while the phrase does appear across various contexts, its use is best avoided in formal or professional settings in favor of more polished phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

originally, though

Emphasizes the initial state with a softer contrast.

initially, however

Uses "initially" to highlight the starting point before introducing the contrast.

at first, however

Highlights the condition at the beginning before the change.

in the beginning, however

Specifies the initial phase with a stronger emphasis on time.

originally, nevertheless

Employs a more formal contrast despite the initial state.

previously, however

Highlights a state from the past with a direct contrast.

formerly, however

Uses a more formal word for a past state before the change.

at the outset, however

Indicates the very start before the contrast is introduced.

by origin, however

Focuses on the origin or source before introducing the contrast.

in its origin, however

Specifies the origin as the context for the contrast.

FAQs

Why is "originally however" considered grammatically awkward?

The construction "originally however" disrupts the natural flow of English. Placing "originally" at the beginning of the sentence or using alternatives like "initially however" or "at first however" improves clarity.

What are some alternatives to using "originally however" in a sentence?

Instead of "originally however", you can use phrases like "originally though", "initially however", or "at first however". The best choice depends on the specific context and the emphasis you want to convey.

Is there a difference in meaning between "originally however" and "originally, though"?

While both phrases indicate a contrast with an initial state, "originally, though" provides a softer contrast compared to "originally however". The latter can sound abrupt. Consider "originally, though" for a gentler transition.

How can I improve sentence clarity when using "originally" and "however"?

To enhance clarity, position "originally" at the beginning of the sentence to clearly establish the initial state. Then, use "however" to introduce the contrasting information. Separating the terms improves readability and prevents awkward phrasing.