undoubtedly however

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undoubtedly however" is not correct and does not work well in written English.
The two words "undoubtedly" and "however" convey contrasting ideas, making their combination awkward. Example: "The project was undoubtedly successful; however, there were several challenges along the way."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Undoubtedly, however, a large section of British society has its doubts about the status quo.

The Guardian

Undoubtedly, however, they were and are important venues for social interaction and cultural transmission.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Undoubtedly, however, the largest amount of material was written in Greek.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Undoubtedly, however, they will need some Maier magic to survive in Oakland, against a pitching staff that has been better than the Yankees' in the first two games.

The New York Times - Sports

Undoubtedly, however, the term is being strained when it is applied to photons that can disappear with nothing to show but thermal energy or be generated without limit by a hot body so long as there is energy available.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Undoubtedly, however, they include the fact that the Arians were never a united front and the fact that the Athanasians, using Greek philosophy, devised cogent rational arguments to support their position.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

These actions, however, are undoubtedly still insufficient in relation to the environmental issues at stake here and current results.

EU Parlament

And her face still has a naked openness that makes you feel almost guilty for staring at her. Stare you undoubtedly will, however.

The New York Times

Great as they undoubtedly are, however, neither Mr Gehry, Mr Kapoor nor Mr Plensa is as close to that edge as they were four years ago.In this section A long-running opera of soap Divided we stand Built to last Spectator sport A game of colour and spin The view from Gringolandia Chicago's Millennium Park Reprints.

The Economist

"The issues under consideration are undoubtedly complex, however it has been evident that even those working on the legislation have not always been clear as to what the provisions are intended to achieve.

TechCrunch

Ductal carcinomas of NST represent the largest group of tumours and contains a diverse group of lesions within which distinct, covert types undoubtedly exist; however, it is the special type tumours that show the most well-documented morphology/molecular profile/behavioural relationships.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid combining adverbs of certainty like "undoubtedly" directly with contrast conjunctions such as "however". Instead, separate them into two distinct clauses or use a single, more appropriate conjunction like "yet" or "but".

Common error

Using "undoubtedly however" can create a confusing tone. "Undoubtedly" asserts certainty, while "however" signals a contrast or contradiction. This juxtaposition can weaken your argument and make your writing seem hesitant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undoubtedly however" attempts to function as a concessive adverbial phrase, aiming to introduce a contrast or qualification after a statement of certainty. Ludwig AI considers the phrase grammatically awkward.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "undoubtedly however" appears in various sources, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific articles, it is considered grammatically awkward. Ludwig AI identifies it as an incorrect construction. More natural alternatives include "undoubtedly, yet" or "certainly, but", which avoid the clash between certainty and contrast. The most frequent contexts for its use are science and news, but its usage should be approached with caution to maintain clarity and avoid a hesitant tone. Therefore, it's advisable to use more refined alternatives for clearer communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Undoubtedly, yet

Replaces "however" with "yet" for a more concise contrast.

Undeniably, but

Substitutes "undoubtedly" with "undeniably" and "however" with "but", offering a simpler structure.

Certainly, nevertheless

Uses "certainly" instead of "undoubtedly" and "nevertheless" as a more formal alternative to "however".

Without a doubt, still

Replaces "undoubtedly" with "without a doubt" and "however" with "still", for a stronger emphasis on certainty.

Assuredly, nonetheless

Presents a more formal tone using "assuredly" and "nonetheless".

Indeed, on the other hand

Offers a contrasting viewpoint with "on the other hand" following the affirmation.

Granted, even so

Acknowledges a point with "granted" before introducing a contrast with "even so".

Admittedly, be that as it may

Uses "admittedly" to concede a point before a contrasting statement.

No doubt, conversely

Emphasizes certainty while introducing an opposite perspective with "conversely".

Truly, despite this

Highlights truth before presenting a contrasting element.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to use "undoubtedly however"?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "undoubtedly however" is generally considered awkward and less effective than alternatives. It combines an adverb of certainty with a contrasting conjunction, which can create a jarring effect. Consider alternatives like "undoubtedly, yet" or "certainly, but".

What's a more natural way to phrase "undoubtedly however"?

Instead of "undoubtedly however", try separating the ideas. You could say, "There is no doubt about this; however..." or combine them differently: "undeniably, but". The goal is to ensure clarity and avoid conflicting signals in your writing.

When might "undoubtedly however" be acceptable?

While generally discouraged, "undoubtedly however" might appear in informal speech or writing where a more conversational tone is desired. In formal writing, though, it's best to opt for clearer and more precise phrasing.

What are some stronger alternatives to "undoubtedly however"?

To convey a stronger sense of contrast after an assertion, consider phrases like "assuredly, nonetheless" or "without a doubt, still". These options provide a more seamless transition while maintaining a sense of certainty.