they were nonetheless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were nonetheless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is true or valid despite any preceding conditions or objections. Example: "The team faced numerous challenges; they were nonetheless able to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But they were nonetheless able to outperform the Knicks.

The New York Times - Sports

What if, as now seems probable, they were nonetheless wrong?

The Economist

Yet they added that they were "nonetheless confident in the potential for stronger growth".

The New York Times

Lying in the gravel, bleeding heavily, they were nonetheless visible to the traffic streaming past.

The Guardian

They were nonetheless invariably fatal to normal-sized human beings when inhaled or ingested".

The New Yorker

Tied into politics at the highest level, they were nonetheless unprotected by the defenses afforded to sensitive government institutions.

The New Yorker

And while vigorous activities like boating, fishing, skating, tennis and croquet called for simpler dress gowns, they were nonetheless cumbersome".

The New York Times

They were nonetheless content to take generous fees and lend both their names and their reputations to the deal".

The Guardian - Business

Grainy, shaky, and shot from a distance, they were nonetheless some of the clearest firsthand evidence of the incident.

The New Yorker

Onions, listed as French fried on the menu, were in fact sautéed, not deep fried, but they were nonetheless sweet and well seasoned.

The New York Times

The executives said they were nonetheless confident that MBIA would keep its triple-A credit rating and weather the current turmoil.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place a comma before "nonetheless" when it connects two independent clauses to improve readability.

Common error

Avoid inserting "nonetheless" in the middle of the verb phrase (e.g., "they nonetheless were"). Place it either at the beginning of the clause or after the subject for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were nonetheless" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, linking two clauses and indicating a contrast or concession. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to present a statement that remains valid despite a preceding condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were nonetheless" serves as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, indicating a contrast or concession. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. While interchangeable with alternatives like "they were still", it maintains a formal tone. Found primarily in news media, encyclopedias and scientific writing, it emphasizes the validity of a statement despite opposing conditions. When writing, ensure "nonetheless" is correctly placed for clarity, typically at the beginning of the clause or after the subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were nevertheless

Offers a formal synonym, almost perfectly interchangeable.

they still were

This option uses simpler wording, reducing formality.

yet they were

A more concise way to express contrast.

they were however

More direct, less emphatic contrast.

even so, they were

Adds emphasis on the contrast between situations.

despite that, they were

Clearly indicates a contrast with a preceding statement.

in spite of that, they were

Highlights the contrast despite an obstacle.

regardless, they were

Emphasizes that a previous condition does not affect the outcome.

that said, they were

Introduces a contrasting point after a previous statement.

but they were

A very direct and simple contradiction.

FAQs

How can I use "they were nonetheless" in a sentence?

The phrase "they were nonetheless" is used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems unexpected given what was previously mentioned. For example, "The team faced many challenges; "they were nonetheless" able to complete the project successfully."

What's a more formal alternative to "they were nonetheless"?

A more formal alternative is "they were nevertheless". Both phrases convey the same meaning, but "nevertheless" is considered more elevated in tone.

Can I use "they were still" instead of "they were nonetheless"?

Yes, "they were still" is a simpler alternative that conveys a similar meaning. However, it may not have the same level of formality as "they were nonetheless".

Is it correct to say "nonetheless, they were"?

Yes, it is correct to begin a sentence with "Nonetheless, they were..." This placement emphasizes the contrasting nature of the statement.