Anyway vs No matter how gentlemanly the fellow
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Anyway
No matter how gentlemanly the fellow
| Anyway | No matter how gentlemanly the fellow | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈeniweɪ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈeniweɪ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //nəʊ ˈmætə haʊ ˈdʒɛntəlmənli ðə ˈfɛləʊ//🇺🇸 //noʊ ˈmætər haʊ ˈdʒɛntəlməˌnli ðə ˈfɛloʊ// |
| Meaning | regardless of what has happened before | It doesn't matter how polite this man is. |
| Example | I 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. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | so anyway, but anyway, anyway you look at it | no matter what, gentlemanly behavior, fellow traveler |
| Antonyms | nevertheless, 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 notes | Use '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. |
See it in real clips
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.