Anyway vs No matter how gentlemanly the fellow

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Anyway

Top 2,000 (common)A2adverb

No matter how gentlemanly the fellow

Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Anyway
 AnywayNo matter how gentlemanly the fellow
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ˈeniweɪ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈeniweɪ/"]/🇬🇧 //nəʊ ˈmætə haʊ ˈdʒɛntəlmənli ðə ˈfɛləʊ//🇺🇸 //noʊ ˈmætər haʊ ˈdʒɛntəlməˌnli ðə ˈfɛloʊ//
Meaningregardless of what has happened beforeIt doesn't matter how polite this man is.
ExampleI don't think it matters what we choose; anyway, we're just going to have fun.No matter how gentlemanly the fellow, he still made some unwise decisions.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 3,000 (common)
CEFR levelA2-
Part of speechadverb
Collocationsso anyway, but anyway, anyway you look at itno matter what, gentlemanly behavior, fellow traveler
Antonymsnevertheless, however-
Common mistakes'Anyway' is often confused with 'anywayS'., Learners sometimes overuse 'anyway' in formal contexts., 'Anyway' should not be separated from the rest of the sentence.Confusing 'fellow' with 'man' or 'boy' which can imply different ages., Using 'no matter' incorrectly with incomplete sentences., Mixing 'gentlemanly' with informal synonyms, losing the nuance of politeness.
Usage notesUse 'anyway' to change direction in a conversation or to dismiss a previous point. It's informal, so avoid in very formal writing or speeches.This phrase is often used to emphasize that something will remain true regardless of other factors. It's suitable for both spoken and written English, but can sound slightly formal when used in casual conversation.

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Anyway
No matter how gentlemanly the fellow

Frequently asked questions: Anyway vs No matter how gentlemanly the fellow

What's the difference between Anyway and No matter how gentlemanly the fellow?

Anyway: regardless of what has happened before No matter how gentlemanly the fellow: It doesn't matter how polite this man is.

Which is more common: Anyway and No matter how gentlemanly the fellow?

Anyway is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Anyway: I don't think it matters what we choose; anyway, we're just going to have fun. No matter how gentlemanly the fellow: No matter how gentlemanly the fellow, he still made some unwise decisions.

Can I use Anyway and No matter how gentlemanly the fellow interchangeably?

Not always. Anyway and No matter how gentlemanly the fellow 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.

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