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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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to however

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to however" is not correct and usable in written English.
It does not form a coherent expression and lacks clarity in meaning. Example: "I wanted to go to the party, to however, I had other commitments."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They used to, however.

A toast to however you are.

He would not need to, however.

News & Media

The New York Times

When she wants to, however, Kawakubo smiles through her clothes.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Revealing herself took some getting used to, however.

What this all adds up to, however, is unclear.

News & Media

The New Yorker

He couldn't do the one thing he had to, however.

Carson did have a constituency to speak to, however.

News & Media

The Guardian

Brunnquell has something to look forward to, however.

Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

One to- however many you have".

It abruptly shifts from blood-drenched black comedy to... however the fuck you want to classify the final 15 minutes.

News & Media

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "to however" in your writing. It's grammatically incorrect and can confuse your readers.

Common error

Don't use "to however" as a direct replacement for conjunctions like "but" or "although". Instead, use a single word like "however" and ensure correct placement within the sentence, or choose alternative conjunctions like "although", "though" or "but".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

76%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to however" is generally not grammatically functional in standard English. Ludwig AI marks it as incorrect. It appears in contexts where a conjunction or adverb is needed to introduce a contrast or exception.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to however" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. While it appears infrequently in some informal contexts like news articles and wiki entries, its use is not recommended. Effective alternatives such as "but", "although", or simply "however" (used correctly) can better convey the intended meaning of contrast or exception. Always prioritize grammatical correctness and clarity in your writing.

FAQs

Why is "to however" considered grammatically incorrect?

The construction "to however" doesn't follow standard English grammar rules. "However" functions as an adverb or conjunction, and the addition of "to" doesn't create a coherent phrase in most contexts. It's often better to use alternatives like "but" or "although".

Can I use "however" instead of "to however"?

Yes, "however" can be used as a substitute, but ensure it's placed correctly in the sentence. For example, instead of "I wanted to go to the store, to however, it was closed", you can say "I wanted to go to the store; however, it was closed" or "I wanted to go to the store, but it was closed".

What are some alternatives to "to however" that I can use in my writing?

Effective alternatives include "but", "although", "yet", "nevertheless", and "nonetheless". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

In what situations might someone mistakenly use "to however"?

People might mistakenly use "to however" when trying to combine the functions of a preposition ("to") with the contrasting effect of "however". This often occurs when they are unsure of the correct way to introduce a contrasting element in a sentence. A simple substitution with "but" or rephrasing the sentence can resolve this.

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Source & Trust

76%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: