simple however

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "simple however" is not correct and does not work well in written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as "however" is a contrasting conjunction that does not logically follow "simple" without additional context. Example: "The task was simple; however, it required more time than expected."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not that simple, however.

The New Yorker

The definition is fairly simple, however.

The New York Times - Science

It's not quite that simple, however.

The New York Times

The problem for naturalists was simple, however.

The Guardian

Not all internet memes are simple, however.

The Guardian - Tech

Things aren't quite that simple however.

The Guardian - Opinion

Reforming the tax code is anything but simple, however.

The New York Times

Supporting users' cloud-services choices isn't simple, however.

Harvard Business Review

This principle is indeed simple; however, it is frequently ignored.

Encyclopedia Britannica

What it does with those signals is far from simple, however.

The New York Times - Tech

Taking a tax loss on the sale of a mutual fund may not be simple, however.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace the phrase "simple however" with alternatives like "simple, yet" or "simple, but" for better grammatical correctness and flow. Always use a comma before "however" when it connects two independent clauses.

Common error

Avoid using "however" directly after "simple" without proper punctuation or conjunctions. It often creates an awkward sentence structure. Instead, use a comma before "however" or opt for "but" or "yet".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "simple however" typically functions as a transitional phrase aiming to introduce a contrasting or qualifying statement. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it often lacks proper grammatical structure and flow, requiring adjustments for clarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "simple however" is frequently used, Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it is grammatically incorrect and can lead to awkward sentence structures. It is more appropriate to use alternatives such as "simple, but" or "simple, yet" to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness. The phrase is prevalent in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science contexts, but its use should be carefully considered, especially in more formal writing. Remember to always use a comma before "however" when using it as a conjunction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simple, yet

Replaces "however" with "yet" to provide a more concise contrast.

simple, but

Uses "but" instead of "however" for a simpler conjunction.

apparently simple, but

Adds "apparently" to highlight that initial simplicity is deceptive.

seemingly simple, yet

Similar to "apparently simple", emphasizes the contrast between appearance and reality.

simple; nevertheless

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

simple; nonetheless

Similar to "nevertheless", providing a formal contrast.

simple, on the other hand

Introduces a contrasting perspective explicitly.

simple, in contrast

Directly indicates a contrasting element.

simple, conversely

Uses "conversely" for a more formal and direct contrast.

it seems simple, however

Adds "it seems" to highlight subjective perception, while keeping "however" to maintain some of the original structure.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "however" after describing something as simple?

To correctly use "however" after describing something as simple, ensure you have a comma before "however" to connect two independent clauses properly. For example: "The task was simple, however, it required more time than anticipated".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "simple however"?

Instead of "simple however", you can use alternatives like "simple yet", "simple but", or "apparently simple depending on the context".

Is it grammatically correct to say "simple however"?

No, "simple however" is not grammatically correct without additional punctuation or conjunctions. It's better to use a comma before "however" or replace it with "but" or "yet".

What's the difference between "simple, however" and "simple therefore"?

"Simple, however" indicates a contrast or qualification, while "simple therefore" suggests a logical consequence. They serve different purposes in a sentence and aren't interchangeable.