Cool MateBut to all vs However vs Nevertheless vs Yet
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
But to all
However
Nevertheless
Yet
| But to all | However | Nevertheless | Yet | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //bʌt tə ɔːl//🇺🇸 //bʌt tu ɔl// | 🇬🇧 /["/haʊˈevə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/haʊˈevər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌnevəðəˈles/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌnevərðəˈles/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/jet/"]/🇺🇸 /["/jet/"]/ |
| Meaning | An expression used to introduce a contradiction or contrast. | but; shows contrast between two ideas. | In spite of that; however. | up to now; at this time |
| Example | But to all who doubted, we proved them wrong. | He was feeling bad. He went to work, however, and tried to concentrate. | There is little chance that we will succeed in changing the law. Nevertheless, it is important that we try. | I haven't finished my homework yet. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 | B2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb | adverb | |
| Collocations | but to all who, but to all people, but to all friends | however, you should, however, it is important, however, I believe | nevertheless, she persisted, nevertheless, it remains, nevertheless, we continue | not yet, yet to come, will you yet |
| Antonyms | - | therefore, consequently | therefore, consequently | already |
| Common mistakes | Used incorrectly as a conjunction instead of an expression., Confused with similar phrases like 'but for all'. | Confused with 'how ever' which means in what way., Omitting a comma before 'however' when it starts a sentence., Using 'however' inappropriately in very casual contexts. | Used interchangeably with 'however' without understanding context differences., Omitted or misused in informal speech., Confused with 'nonetheless'. | Confused with 'but' in meaning., Omitting 'not' in negative sentences., Using 'yet' in statements instead of questions or negatives. |
| Usage notes | Used to emphasize a contrasting idea; suitable for formal writing but also common in conversations. | Use 'however' to introduce a contrasting idea in a sentence. It's suitable in both spoken and written English but more common in formal writing. Avoid using it at the beginning of informal conversations. | Often used to introduce a contrasting statement or to show that something is true despite what has just been said. It's more common in written English, and may seem too formal in casual spoken contexts. | Used to indicate that something has not happened up to the present moment. Common in negative sentences and questions. Avoid using in formal writing as it may sound too casual. |
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Frequently asked questions: But to all vs However vs Nevertheless vs Yet
What's the difference between But to all, However, Nevertheless, and Yet?
But to all: An expression used to introduce a contradiction or contrast. However: but; shows contrast between two ideas. Nevertheless: In spite of that; however. Yet: up to now; at this time
Which is more advanced: But to all, However, Nevertheless, and Yet?
Nevertheless is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
But to all: But to all who doubted, we proved them wrong. However: He was feeling bad. He went to work, however, and tried to concentrate. Nevertheless: There is little chance that we will succeed in changing the law. Nevertheless, it is important that we try. Yet: I haven't finished my homework yet.
Can I use But to all, However, Nevertheless, and Yet interchangeably?
Not always. But to all, However, Nevertheless, and Yet are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.