Synonyms for however: alternatives by formality, with the punctuation for each

What however means and why people look for alternatives

Vocabulary.com defines however as meaning "even so" or "on the other hand", and says you use it to introduce a complication or contradiction. Its dictionary entry lists synonyms such as all the same, even so, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, still and yet.

ESL Forums calls it one of the most common connectors in English, and warns that although however is widely used, repeating it too often can make your writing sound repetitive or formal.

That is the real reason to know alternatives. In a long essay or email, three howevers on one page feel mechanical. A varied set of connectors sounds more natural and gives each contrast a slightly different shade of meaning.

The alternatives below are grouped in three levels:

• Formal and academic: nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, even so, in contrast, on the contrary.
• Neutral, everyday: but, yet, still, though, although, while, whereas.
• Spoken and informal: that said, having said that, then again, mind you, even so, though (at the end).

Before choosing, check two things: how strong the contrast is, and where the word will sit in the sentence.

Formal alternatives: nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding

These are best in essays, reports, business writing and formal speeches. They sit where however sits: at the start of a sentence with a comma, or after a semicolon.

Nevertheless and nonetheless mean the same thing. Use them when you want to say that something is true despite what you just said. They are the best formal replacements for however in that sense.

Notwithstanding is mostly legal or very formal. Avoid it in ordinary writing.

On the contrary is not a general substitute for however. It corrects a statement, rather than adding a contrast: The film wasn't boring. On the contrary, it was exciting.

Everyday alternatives: but, yet, still, though, although

These words are normal in speaking, emails and most writing.

The Cambridge Dictionary notes that the conjunctions but and although/though connect ideas that contrast, with an example: the new city hall is amazing but it's going to cost a lot. It also describes but as a coordinating conjunction used to connect ideas that contrast.

Is however another word for but? It is similar in meaning, but not in grammar. A key warning from Cambridge: we can't use however as a conjunction instead of but to connect words and phrases. Cambridge's example of a mistake: Not: My teacher is very nice however a bit strict. The correct version uses but: My teacher is very nice but a bit strict.

To avoid this error, use the rule: but and yet go between two parts of a sentence, while however needs a break (a full stop or semicolon) before it.

Spoken alternatives: that said, having said that, then again

In conversation, native speakers rarely say however or nevertheless. They use short, natural phrases.

• that said: "It's expensive. That said, it's really good."
• having said that: "I don't like the colour. Having said that, it fits well."
• even so: "It was hard. Even so, I enjoyed it."
• then again: "I could take the train. Then again, the bus is cheaper."
• mind you (British): "It's a long drive. Mind you, the view is great."
• though (at the end): "It's cold. I like it, though."
• still: "The test was tough. Still, I passed."
• but anyway / but then: "It's small. But then, it's cheap."

How they sound:

• That said is a good, calm choice for a meeting or interview, because it moves from a weakness to a strength: "I'm still learning the software. That said, I learn quickly."
• Then again shows you are changing your mind, not contradicting someone.
• Though at the end of a sentence is very natural and short. It softens a statement: "It's a good book. It's long, though."

In speaking, put a short pause after the phrase, just as you would with a comma. For more on how to connect ideas smoothly in speech, see our guide to linking words in English.

Punctuation: where the comma, semicolon and full stop go

This is the most common problem with however and its formal alternatives.

Purdue OWL explains that you can use a semicolon when you join two independent clauses together with a conjunctive adverb (an adverb that joins independent clauses), such as however, therefore, consequently, otherwise, nevertheless or thus.

So you have three correct patterns for however, nevertheless and nonetheless:

1. Full stop, then the word and a comma: The plan was good. However, it was too expensive.
2. Semicolon before, comma after: The plan was good; however, it was too expensive.
3. Inside a sentence, with commas on both sides: The plan, however, was too expensive.

And one pattern that is wrong: a comma alone before the word.

• Wrong: The plan was good, however it was too expensive. (comma splice)
• Right: The plan was good; however, it was too expensive.
• Right: The plan was good, but it was too expensive.

But, yet, so and although are different: they are conjunctions, so they take a comma (or no punctuation) and no semicolon.

• The plan was good, but it was too expensive.
• Although the plan was good, it was too expensive.

Short rule: however, nevertheless, nonetheless and therefore need a full stop or semicolon before them. But, yet, although, though do not.

Can you start a sentence with however?

Yes. Some people were taught that you should never begin a sentence with however, but the history of English shows that writers have done it for centuries.

Merriam-Webster's usage article collects examples: "However, I am sure James does not drink so much" from Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey (1818), and "However, I was talking about Miss Moore" from Charlotte Brontë (1838). It also quotes older examples from the early 1700s, which shows how long this has been normal.

The same article notes a different, older warning about the use of however to mean how ever, as in "However could he do it?", which one 1920 guide called a vulgarism. That is a separate use, with a different meaning, and is not the connector.

So starting a sentence with However, is correct, as long as you put a comma after it. The only real concern is overuse. Choose one connector per paragraph at most, and vary them.

Another meaning of however: it can also mean no matter how: However hard I try, I cannot do it. or However much it costs, we'll buy it. Here it is not a connector and has no synonyms in the list above. Its replacement is no matter how: No matter how hard I try…

How to choose: a quick guide

Use this table when you are not sure which word to use.

Two final tips.

• Vary, but do not hunt for fancy words. But is still the best choice in many sentences.
• Check the meaning. Words that add information, such as also and besides, are not contrasts. Do not use them as synonyms for however.

If you are preparing for an IELTS or TOEFL speaking test, a good set of spoken connectors makes your answers sound more natural. See our IELTS speaking topics for practice questions.

Practice: choose the best connector

Fill in the gap. More than one answer may be possible, but the first is the best.

1. It's a small flat. ___, it's in a great location. (That said / For example)
2. The report was long; ___, it was easy to read. (nevertheless / therefore)
3. She was tired, ___ she kept working. (but / however)
4. The film was good. It was long, ___. (though / however)
5. I like cats, ___ my brother prefers dogs. (whereas / nevertheless)
6. The weather was bad. ___, we enjoyed the trip. (Even so / For example)
7. The first plan failed. ___, the second plan worked. (However / Therefore)
8. It wasn't a mistake. ___, it was a good decision. (On the contrary / Nonetheless)

Answers: 1. That said. 2. nevertheless. 3. but (not however with a comma). 4. though. 5. whereas. 6. Even so. 7. However. 8. On the contrary.

Now write three sentences of your own using different connectors, and say them aloud with the pause where the comma goes. For regular speaking practice, see our guide to English speaking practice.