We use ‘however’ and ‘nevertheless’ to express a contrast.
Idea A is different to Idea B.
However and Nevertheless are most commonly used to start a sentence.
Basic example:
What’s the contrast? Normally a person who doesn’t like reading wouldn’t enjoy the Harry Potter series.
What’s the difference?
- Nevertheless is more formal than however.
- Nevertheless is hardly ever used in spoken English.
- Nevertheless emphasizes a stronger contrast than however.
- Nevertheless is closer to ‘in spite of’.
- However is closer to ‘but’.
Take a look…
HOWEVER USAGE
However can begin a sentence. Remember to use a comma (,) after however.
The company accountant reassured investors that the company is financially stable. However, he did advise them to prepare for a potential upcoming financial dip after redundancies are made.
However can also go 1) after the subject, 2) after BE or 3) before a main verb. Use commas to separate however.
1)Most parents would agree that teenagers spend too much time on their phones. I, however, don’t understand why parents give their teenagers phones in the first place.
2)Students have been making excellent progress in their reading skill. There are, however, a few pupils who still need extra coaching.
3)The company accountant reassured investors that the company is financially stable. He did, however, advise them to prepare for a potential upcoming financial dip after redundancies are made.
Yes, ‘however’ can be moved to the beginning of the sentence in the examples above.
However can join two independent ideas using the punctuation ;however,
Many people believe that the legal age to buy alcohol should be lowered ;however, the same number of people are against the idea.
However can go at the end of a sentence. (not common in formal writing)
Laptop sales surpassed tablet sales in the last year. Mobile phones still remain the highest selling gadget, however.
You CANNOT use however as a conjunction.
I was offered a promotion at the end of March, however I turned it down. I didn’t want the extra responsibility for a small pay increase.
Use BUT instead.
☑ I was offered a promotion at the end of March, but I turned it down. I didn’t want the extra responsibility for a small pay increase.
NEVERTHELESS USAGE
Nevertheless can begin a sentence. Remember to use a comma after nevertheless.
Typhoons destroyed a large part of the Thai coastline. Nevertheless, Thailand still remains a popular tourist destination.
Nevertheless can join two independent ideas using the punctuation ;nevertheless,
Paul was constantly reminded to stop using the office printer for his own personal use; nevertheless, he continued printing multiple sheets per day unrelated to work.
Nevertheless can go after but (add comma!)
Students held nationwide protests against the increase of university tuition, but nevertheless, a new law was passed allowing universities to raise their fees.
Nevertheless can also go at the end of a sentence. (less common in formal writing)
A few important points were discussed in the meeting, but it was a waste of time nevertheless.
