On this page10 sections
- Quick list: words to use instead of however
- Why punctuation decides which synonym fits
- Everyday alternatives
- Formal and academic alternatives
- When you are comparing, not contradicting
- The other however: "no matter how"
- 12 example sentences
- Common mistakes
- Practice: choose and punctuate
- Related pages
The most common other words for however are but, yet, still, nevertheless, nonetheless, even so, that said and on the other hand. They all signal a turn: what comes next pulls against what came before. But they are not punctuated the same way, and they do not all fit the same register. Swap however for but without changing the punctuation and you can create an error.
This page groups the alternatives by the job they do, shows the punctuation each one needs, and covers the second meaning of however (“no matter how”), which takes completely different synonyms.
Quick list: words to use instead of however
| If you mean… | Try |
|---|---|
| a plain contrast, in everyday writing | but, yet, still, though, even so |
| a contrast in formal or academic writing | nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding this, despite this, in spite of this, be that as it may |
| comparing two different things | on the other hand, in contrast, by contrast, whereas, while, conversely, alternatively |
| a second thought or a qualification | that said, having said that, then again, mind you, all the same, at the same time |
| a concession inside one sentence | although, though, even though, while, whereas |
| “no matter how” | no matter how, regardless of how, in whatever way, whichever way, however much |
Why punctuation decides which synonym fits
However is an adverb, not a conjunction. It can link the ideas of two clauses, but it cannot join the clauses grammatically. So when it sits between two complete sentences, you need a full stop or a semicolon before it and a comma after it:
- The plan was cheap; however, it would take two years.
- The plan was cheap. However, it would take two years.
- The plan was cheap. It would, however, take two years. (commas on both sides in the middle)
The synonyms fall into three punctuation families. Knowing which family a word belongs to tells you how to punctuate it.
| Family | Words | How to punctuate | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adverbs, like however | nevertheless, nonetheless, still, even so, that said, on the other hand, in contrast, conversely | full stop or semicolon before; usually a comma after | The hotel was dated; nevertheless, the staff were superb. |
| Coordinating conjunctions | but, yet | a comma before (often optional when short); never a semicolon; no comma after | The hotel was dated, but the staff were superb. |
| Subordinating conjunctions | although, though, even though, whereas, while | join a dependent clause to a main clause; comma when the dependent clause comes first | Although the hotel was dated, the staff were superb. |
Note that still and yet often take no comma after them: The hotel was dated. Still, the staff were superb and The hotel was dated. Still the staff were superb are both accepted, while yet as a conjunction never takes one.
Everyday alternatives
In emails, blog posts and conversation, however can sound stiff. These carry the same turn with less weight:
- but: the default. I liked the film, but it was too long. Starting a sentence with But is fine in all but the most formal writing.
- yet: a contrast with a hint of surprise. He trained for months, yet he finished last.
- still: “in spite of that”. The rent is high. Still, the location is perfect.
- though (at the end of a sentence): conversational. The food was great. The service was slow, though.
- even so: concedes the first point fully, then pushes back. The forecast said sun. Even so, I packed an umbrella.
- all the same: like even so, a little warmer. You didn’t have to help. Thanks all the same.
- mind you: informal and mostly British; adds a qualifying thought. It was a long walk. Mind you, the view was worth it.
Formal and academic alternatives
In essays, reports and papers, however is perfectly correct; the problem is repetition. When it appears three times on one page, rotate in one of these:
- nevertheless / nonetheless: “despite what was just said”. They are interchangeable in almost every context. The sample was small; nevertheless, the pattern was consistent.
- despite this / in spite of this: spells out the concession. Funding was cut in 2019. Despite this, enrolment rose.
- notwithstanding: very formal, common in legal writing. Notwithstanding these limitations, the results are useful.
- be that as it may: formal, slightly old-fashioned; accepts the point without agreeing that it matters. The policy was popular. Be that as it may, it was never funded.
- that said / having said that: common in professional writing; introduces a qualification of your own previous point. The software is fast. That said, it needs a powerful machine.
When you are comparing, not contradicting
Sometimes however introduces a different case rather than an objection. These words make that relationship clearer:
- on the other hand: weighs two sides of a choice. A city flat is close to work. On the other hand, a house in the suburbs has a garden.
- in contrast / by contrast: sets two things side by side to show a difference. Sales in the north fell. By contrast, the south grew by a third.
- whereas / while: the same comparison inside one sentence. Cats are independent, whereas dogs need company.
- conversely: only for a reversed relationship, where the second statement turns the first around. Higher prices reduce demand; conversely, lower prices increase it. Do not use it for an ordinary contrast.
- alternatively: offers another option, not a contrast. You can pay online. Alternatively, call the office.
The other however: “no matter how”
However has a second meaning that has nothing to do with contrast: “in whatever way” or “to whatever degree”. Here it takes no comma after it, and the synonyms are different:
- However hard I try, I can’t remember her name. → No matter how hard I try…
- Decorate the room however you like. → …in whatever way you like / …any way you like.
- However much it costs, we need it. → Whatever it costs, we need it.
The comma changes the meaning. However, you decide means “but it’s your decision”. However you decide means “whichever way you decide”.
12 example sentences
- The interview went well; nevertheless, I didn’t get the job.
- The interview went well, but I didn’t get the job.
- Although the interview went well, I didn’t get the job.
- The car is old. Still, it has never broken down.
- The car is old. It has never broken down, though.
- Most critics loved the book. Readers, on the other hand, found it slow.
- Rural schools lost pupils. In contrast, city schools were over capacity.
- The method is reliable. That said, it is expensive.
- The evidence is limited; nonetheless, it points one way.
- He apologised. Even so, she was still angry.
- Cook the rice however you prefer.
- No matter how early we leave, the traffic is bad.
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Fix | Why |
|---|---|---|
| It was late, however we kept going. | It was late; however, we kept going. | A comma cannot join two sentences with however (a comma splice). |
| It was late; but we kept going. | It was late, but we kept going. | But is a conjunction: it takes a comma, not a semicolon. |
| But however, the plan failed. | However, the plan failed. or But the plan failed. | Two contrast words doing one job. |
| Although it rained, but we played. | Although it rained, we played. | Although already links the clauses; English does not add but. |
| He is tall; conversely, his brother is a lawyer. | He is tall; his brother, however, is short. | Conversely needs a reversal of the same relationship, not any difference. |
A note on an old rule: The Elements of Style advised against starting a sentence with however when it means “nevertheless”. Most current usage guides and editors accept a sentence-initial However, as long as the comma follows it. Moving it into the sentence (The plan, however, failed) is a useful way to vary rhythm, not a requirement.
Practice: choose and punctuate
Rewrite each pair as one sentence or two, using the word in brackets with the right punctuation.
- The museum was crowded. We saw everything we wanted. (but)
- The museum was crowded. We saw everything we wanted. (nevertheless)
- The museum was crowded. We saw everything we wanted. (although)
- Coffee keeps me awake. Tea helps me relax. (whereas)
- I don’t agree with you. I see why you’re upset. (that said)
- You can arrange the chairs. You like. (however, meaning “no matter how”)
Answers:
- The museum was crowded, but we saw everything we wanted.
- The museum was crowded; nevertheless, we saw everything we wanted. (or a full stop before Nevertheless)
- Although the museum was crowded, we saw everything we wanted.
- Coffee keeps me awake, whereas tea helps me relax.
- I don’t agree with you. That said, I see why you’re upset.
- You can arrange the chairs however you like. (no comma)
Related pages
For other words that keep an essay moving, see other ways to say firstly, secondly, thirdly and ways to end an essay. If you are choosing stronger words for your argument, another word for important sorts 60 options by meaning, and metaphors for essays covers figurative ways to describe writing itself.