who is however

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "who is however" is not correct and does not form a coherent expression in written English.
It is not usable as it stands, as it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "The author, who is however known for his controversial views, has published a new book."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

He's a middle-aged Hollywood screenwriter (played by Dick Powell) who is, however, seeking redemption.

The New Yorker

As Michael Lewis and the screenwriters, Steve Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin, and the director, Bennett Miller, tell it, Beane is a confident revolutionary who is, however, in torment.

The New Yorker

Yet it is the mother of such a serviceman who is, however unintentionally, adding to that suffering by implying that those who have died in the Iraq war died as victims.

The New York Times

Tommy Lee Jones plays Sheriff Ed Tom Bell, an intelligent and sympathetic lawman, from a proud family of lawmen, who is, however, preparing to quit, having become disenchanted by society's inability to contain the criminals' evolutionary leap to a new level of ruthlessness.

The Guardian - Film

She surely would realize that, because she's not a virgin, she wouldn't be considered a fit match for any nobleman, for any man of her own station except for Benedick, the one who caused her fall, her seducer, who is, however, the one man she wouldn't have, taking him as a villain or, at least, holding him in contempt.

The New Yorker

Thomas Tickell, (born 1686, Bridekirk, near Carlisle, Eng. died April 23 , 1740 Bath, Somerset), English verse writer and man of letters who is, however, best remembered for the quarrel involving his translation of the first book of Homer's Iliad in 1715, which appeared contemporaneously with that of Alexander Pope.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

This included Indigenous men who were, however, discouraged from voting.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was supported by the archbishop of Granada, who was, however, involved in a lawsuit with his cathedral chapter.

Britannica

In Mindanao, trouble again arose on the east shore of Lake Lanao, and an expedition was organized to march against the Taracas, who were, however, only temporarily subdued.

Cornell University

Trade along this route was controlled by Varangian merchant-warriors, and from their ranks came the progenitors of the Kievan princes, who were, however, soon Slavicized.

Britannica

His first shot was stopped by the Spaniard who was, however, unable to get in the way of an open goal bound second effort.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a conversational tone, using "though" at the end of the clause (e.g., "who is, though") might be suitable, but ensure it fits the overall context.

Common error

A common mistake is to insert "however" directly after "is" in a relative clause, disrupting the flow and grammatical structure. Always ensure "however" is correctly positioned to modify the entire clause or sentence, not just the verb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "who is however" attempts to function as a relative clause with an adverbial interjection, aiming to introduce a contrast or qualification. However, its structure is grammatically unsound, as highlighted by Ludwig. This disrupts the clarity and flow of the sentence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "who is however" appears in some published materials, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms that its structure is awkward, disrupting the clarity of the sentence. For more precise and effective communication, it is advisable to opt for alternatives such as "who, however, is" or "who is, nevertheless". These alternatives maintain grammatical correctness while effectively conveying the intended contrasting element. This analysis is based on a review of usage examples and authoritative sources, providing a comprehensive understanding of the phrase's linguistic challenges and offering practical guidance for improved writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

who nonetheless is

Reverses the order and replaces "however" with "nonetheless" for a more formal tone.

who is nevertheless

Substitutes "however" with "nevertheless", maintaining a similar level of formality.

who despite that is

Replaces "however" with "despite that" for a more concise expression of contrast.

who, in spite of that, is

Replaces "however" with "in spite of that", adding emphasis to the contrasting element.

who yet is

Uses "yet" to introduce a contrasting element, providing a slightly more literary feel.

who still is

Uses "still" to indicate a continuation or persistence despite a preceding statement.

who is though

Employs "though" as a less formal alternative to "however", placed at the end for emphasis.

who, with all that said, is

Replaces "however" with "with all that said" to signal a shift in perspective after acknowledging previous information.

who, for all that, is

Offers a similar meaning to "with all that said", but with a slightly different phrasing.

who, be that as it may, is

Introduces a concession with a more elaborate and formal expression.

FAQs

Is "who is however" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "who is however" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and awkward. It's better to use alternatives like "who, however, is" or "who is, nevertheless" for clarity.

What are some alternatives to "who is however"?

You can use alternatives like "who is nevertheless", "who nonetheless is", or "who, in spite of that, is" depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis. See also: "who nonetheless is".

How can I use "however" correctly in a relative clause?

To use "however" correctly in a relative clause, place it either after the relative pronoun ("who, however, is") or use it to connect two independent clauses. Avoid placing it directly after "is".

What's the difference between "who is however" and "who, however, is"?

"Who is however" is grammatically incorrect and not recommended. "Who, however, is" is the correct way to insert "however" into a relative clause to provide a contrasting element.