was however

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was however" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a contrast or exception to a previous statement. Example: "The project was progressing well; however, it faced unexpected challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dzagoev was, however, inconsolable.

Independent

She was, however, hooked.

The New York Times - Sports

There was, however, another loss.

The New York Times - Sports

There was, however, some discussion.

The New York Times

It was, however, cut short.

The Economist

There was however a problem.

The Guardian

Judge Cooper was, however, correct.

The New York Times

There was, however, no apology.

The Guardian - Sport

He was, however, to fail.

The Guardian - Opinion

Fred was, however, very respectful.

The Guardian - Film

There was, however, nothing comparable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was however" to introduce a contrast or an unexpected element following a previous statement. Ensure the sentence flows smoothly with the addition of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid placing a comma directly before "however" when it interrupts the flow of the sentence. The correct usage is: "It was, however, a difficult decision."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was however" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, introducing a contrast or concession. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was however" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that acts as a conjunctive adverbial. As Ludwig confirms, its primary function is to introduce a contrast or concession in a sentence, signaling a shift in thought or an opposing idea. Although suitable for both formal and informal writing, it appears more often in news media and encyclopedic contexts. Remember to avoid placing a comma directly before "however" when it interrupts the sentence flow. Alternatives include "was nevertheless" and "was nonetheless", depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was nevertheless

Replaces "however" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the contrast.

was nonetheless

Similar to "nevertheless", providing a slightly stronger sense of contradiction.

was yet

A simpler alternative, suitable for less formal contexts.

was still

Emphasizes the continuation of a state despite a preceding statement.

was even so

Highlights the unexpected nature of the following statement.

was be that as it may

A more emphatic way of expressing concession.

was in spite of that

Explicitly states the contrast despite the preceding information.

was despite that

A slightly more concise version of "in spite of that".

was but

A more archaic and literary way to introduce a contrast.

was on the other hand

Introduces a contrasting perspective or situation.

FAQs

How to use "was however" in a sentence?

Use "was however" to introduce a contrast or exception. For example, "The initial plan was ambitious; it "was however", fraught with challenges."

What can I say instead of "was however"?

You can use alternatives like "was nevertheless", "was nonetheless", or "was yet" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was however" or "however was"?

"Was however" is generally the correct order when inserting "however" into a clause. "However was" might appear in a question, such as "However was that possible?"

What's the difference between "was however" and "but"?

"Was however" is a more formal way to introduce a contrast. "But" is simpler and more direct, suitable for less formal writing. "It was difficult, /s/but+worth+it target="_blank" rel="nofollow">but worth it" versus "It was difficult; it "was however", worth it."