Cool MateHowever vs Nevertheless vs Nonetheless vs Still
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
However
Nevertheless
Nonetheless
Still
| However | Nevertheless | Nonetheless | Still | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/haʊˈevə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/haʊˈevər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌnevəðəˈles/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌnevərðəˈles/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌnʌnðəˈles/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌnʌnðəˈles/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/stɪl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/stɪl/"]/ |
| Meaning | but; shows contrast between two ideas. | In spite of that; however. | In spite of that; however. | not moving; quiet |
| 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. | The book is too long but, nonetheless, informative and entertaining. | She is still waiting for her friends to arrive. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B2 | C1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | however, you should, however, it is important, however, I believe | nevertheless, she persisted, nevertheless, it remains, nevertheless, we continue | nonetheless acknowledge, nonetheless consider, nonetheless important | still water, still life, still waiting, still standing |
| Antonyms | therefore, consequently | therefore, consequently | therefore, consequently | yet, already |
| 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'. | Using 'nonetheless' where 'but' would suffice., Misplacing 'nonetheless' within a sentence., Confusing 'nonetheless' with 'nevertheless'; both are similar but 'nonetheless' is slightly more formal. | Confused with 'steal', leading to incorrect usage., Using it in a question when it should be a statement, e.g., 'Is it still raining?' incorrectly phrased as 'Is still it raining?'., Overusing in sequences; proper placement in a sentence can be tricky. |
| 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. | Use 'nonetheless' to contrast or show that something is true despite what has been said. More common in written English; less suitable for casual spoken conversations. | Used to describe something that is not changing or happening yet. Appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, but can sound more formal when used in written form. |
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Frequently asked questions: However vs Nevertheless vs Nonetheless vs Still
What's the difference between However, Nevertheless, Nonetheless, and Still?
However: but; shows contrast between two ideas. Nevertheless: In spite of that; however. Nonetheless: In spite of that; however. Still: not moving; quiet
Which is more advanced: However, Nevertheless, Nonetheless, and Still?
Nonetheless is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are However, Nevertheless, Nonetheless, and Still the same CEFR level?
However: A1, Nevertheless: B2, Nonetheless: C1, Still: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are However, Nevertheless, Nonetheless, and Still?
However: adverb, Nevertheless: adverb, Nonetheless: adverb, Still: 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. Nonetheless: The book is too long but, nonetheless, informative and entertaining. Still: She is still waiting for her friends to arrive.
Can I use However, Nevertheless, Nonetheless, and Still interchangeably?
Not always. However, Nevertheless, Nonetheless, and Still 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.