surely however

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surely however" is not commonly used together in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used when you want to express certainty while also introducing a contrasting point, but it is better to separate the two ideas for clarity. Example: "Surely, however, we must consider the potential drawbacks of this approach."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Surely, however, every team wishes they had Washington's problems.

The New York Times - Sports

Slowly but surely however we began to see a difference.

The Guardian - Sport

Surely, however, it should simply be a matter of living and let live?

The Guardian

Slowly but surely, however, Putin began to squeeze out opposing civic forces.

The Guardian

Slowly but surely, however, the hosts began to emerge as an attacking force.

The Guardian - Sport

Slowly but surely, however, the YouTube cheques began to outstrip his wages.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Surely none, however, is more ambitious than the polygraph.

Independent

Further attempts to meddle in this case would almost surely backfire, however, because of its serious national security implications.

The New York Times

He is surely right, however, about the importance of the early productions in London of the plays of Henrik Ibsen.

The Guardian - Books

What California would surely provide, however, is an early test of a candidate's appeal to a big and varied electorate.

The New York Times

This will surely change, however, as The Daily Show's bread-and-butter is the criticism of American politics and the US news cycle.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "surely however", ensure the contrast is significant enough to warrant both the affirmation and the contradiction.

Common error

Avoid using "surely however" in casual conversations or informal writing. The phrase can come across as overly formal or stilted in relaxed settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surely however" functions as a conjunctive phrase, linking two contrasting ideas. While 'surely' indicates certainty or confidence, 'however' introduces a contrast or contradiction. Ludwig shows the phrase is used to express a degree of certainty before presenting an opposing or qualifying point.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "surely however" serves as a conjunctive phrase that connects two contrasting ideas. It indicates certainty before introducing an opposing or qualifying viewpoint. According to Ludwig, while not grammatically incorrect, it is more common to separate the two terms for clarity, with the Ludwig AI analysis suggesting that it's best used in neutral or formal contexts, most frequently within News & Media and Science domains. The phrase is acceptable but may sometimes sound awkward, so consider alternatives like "certainly yet" or "undeniably however" for improved flow.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surely nevertheless

Very similar in meaning but using 'nevertheless' adds a slightly stronger sense of contrast.

undeniably however

Shares a similar structure and conveys a blend of certainty and contrast.

certainly yet

Emphasizes the certainty of a statement before introducing a contrasting element.

undoubtedly still

Highlights the unquestionable nature of something, followed by a point that persists despite that.

assuredly nevertheless

Combines strong assurance with a sense of contrast or concession.

indeed but

Affirms a statement while introducing a contrasting idea.

granted still

Acknowledges a point before presenting a contrasting perspective.

no doubt nonetheless

Expresses certainty while indicating a subsequent point that exists despite the initial certainty.

admittedly even so

Acknowledges a fact but introduces something that remains true despite that.

certainly on the other hand

Emphasizes a statement's validity before introducing an opposing viewpoint.

FAQs

How can I use "surely however" in a sentence?

Use "surely however" to introduce a contrasting point after expressing certainty. For example, "Surely, however, we must consider the potential drawbacks of this approach."

What are some alternatives to "surely however"?

You can use alternatives like "certainly yet", "undoubtedly still", or "indeed but" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "surely however"?

While not strictly incorrect, "surely however" is an infrequent combination. It's more common to separate them for clarity, like "Surely, however...".

What's the difference between "surely however" and "certainly but"?

"Surely however" combines an adverb of certainty with a contrasting conjunction. "Certainly but" serves the same function, with slightly different emphasis. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.