they are however

USAGE SUMMARY

'they are however' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express that one statement is contrasting with the other one that was just stated. For example: "He usually does not help with cleaning up the kitchen. They are however, willing to help with the laundry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are, however, solvable.

The New Yorker

They are, however, disheartening.

The New York Times

(They are, however, paid).

The New York Times - Magazine

They are, however, successful towns.

The Economist

They are, however, deeply political.

The Economist

They are, however, "bending".

The Guardian

They are, however, yesterday's news.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They are, however, not for the timid.

The New York Times

They are, however, very different stylists.

The New York Times - Arts

They are, however, stranded in the airports".

The New York Times

They are, however, defending themselves stoutly.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they are however", ensure that the contrast you are introducing is clear and relevant to the preceding statement. Avoid using it when the connection between the two ideas is weak.

Common error

Avoid placing a comma directly before "however" when it follows "they are". The phrase should read "They are however..." not "They are, however...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are however" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two clauses, indicating a contrast or qualification between them. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage as a connector that contrasts the preceding statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are however" is a grammatically correct and frequently used conjunctive adverbial phrase that introduces a contrasting element to a preceding statement. Ludwig confirms its usability and proper context. It is most commonly found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, indicating a neutral to slightly formal register. When using this phrase, ensure a clear contrast between the ideas and avoid placing a comma before "however". Consider alternatives like "nevertheless they are" or "yet they are" to vary your writing style. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "they are however" to enhance the clarity and flow of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nevertheless they are

Reorders the phrase while retaining the core meaning of contrast.

yet they are

Replaces "however" with "yet", a simpler conjunction expressing contrast.

still they are

Substitutes "however" with "still", indicating a degree of unexpectedness.

but they are

Uses the basic conjunction "but" to introduce the contrasting element.

even so they are

Adds emphasis to the contrast using "even so".

nonetheless they are

Replaces "however" with the more formal "nonetheless".

they are in spite of that

Expresses contrast using "in spite of that", indicating something happens despite a preceding factor.

they are be that as it may

A more emphatic and somewhat archaic way of introducing a contrast.

on the other hand they are

Introduces a contrasting point of view or situation.

despite this they are

Highlights that the following statement is true even considering what was previously mentioned.

FAQs

How can I use "they are however" in a sentence?

Use "they are however" to introduce a contrasting statement. For example, "The initial costs are high. "They are however", expected to decrease over time."

What alternatives can I use instead of "they are however"?

You can use alternatives such as "nevertheless they are", "yet they are", or "still they are" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to place a comma before "however" in the phrase "they are however"?

No, it is generally incorrect to place a comma directly before "however" in this phrase. The correct usage is "They are however...". Placing a comma disrupts the flow and is not grammatically standard.

In what contexts is "they are however" most appropriate?

This phrase is suitable in contexts where you want to introduce a contrast or qualification, especially in formal writing or when a clear shift in thought is needed. It's common in news, academic writing, and business communication.