Cool MateNevertheless vs Nonetheless
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Nevertheless
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
Nonetheless
Top 2,000 (common)C1adverb
| Nevertheless | Nonetheless | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌnevəðəˈles/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌnevərðəˈles/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌnʌnðəˈles/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌnʌnðəˈles/"]/ |
| Meaning | In spite of that; however. | In spite of that; however. |
| Example | 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. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | nevertheless, she persisted, nevertheless, it remains, nevertheless, we continue | nonetheless acknowledge, nonetheless consider, nonetheless important |
| Antonyms | therefore, consequently | therefore, consequently |
| Common mistakes | 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. |
| Usage notes | 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. |
Frequently asked questions: Nevertheless vs Nonetheless
What's the difference between Nevertheless and Nonetheless?
Nevertheless: In spite of that; however. Nonetheless: In spite of that; however.
Are Nevertheless and Nonetheless the same CEFR level?
Nevertheless: B2, Nonetheless: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Nevertheless and Nonetheless interchangeably?
Not always. Nevertheless and Nonetheless 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.