Cool MateHowever vs Nevertheless
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
However
Nevertheless
| However | Nevertheless | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/haʊˈevə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/haʊˈevər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌnevəðəˈles/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌnevərðəˈles/"]/ |
| Meaning | but; shows contrast between two ideas. | In spite of that; however. |
| Example | 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. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | however, you should, however, it is important, however, I believe | nevertheless, she persisted, nevertheless, it remains, nevertheless, we continue |
| Antonyms | therefore, consequently | therefore, consequently |
| Common mistakes | 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'. |
| Usage notes | 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. |
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Frequently asked questions: However vs Nevertheless
What's the difference between However and Nevertheless?
However: but; shows contrast between two ideas. Nevertheless: In spite of that; however.
Which is more common: However and Nevertheless?
However is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: However and Nevertheless?
Nevertheless is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are However and Nevertheless the same CEFR level?
However: A1, Nevertheless: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are However and Nevertheless?
However: adverb, Nevertheless: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
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.
Can I use However and Nevertheless interchangeably?
Not always. However and Nevertheless 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.