What is the Difference Between However and Nevertheless?

The main difference between "however" and "nevertheless" is one of formality and emphasis. Both words are used to indicate a contrast between two ideas, but "nevertheless" is considered slightly more formal and emphatic than "however". Here are some key points about their usage:

• Position in a sentence: Both "however" and "nevertheless" are typically placed at the beginning of a sentence when contrasting two ideas. However, they can also appear in mid-position or at the end of a sentence.
• Contrast and concession: While "however" can convey both contrast and concession, "nevertheless" is more focused on presenting an idea of concession or surprise. This means that "however" can be used in place of "nevertheless" in most situations, but not vice versa.
• Comparison with other connective adverbs: In addition to "however" and "nevertheless," other connective adverbs used to introduce contrasting ideas include "despite," "nonetheless," "even so," and "so on". These words, like "however" and "nevertheless," are formal transitions used primarily in written English.

In summary, both "however" and "nevertheless" are used to express contrast between two ideas, but "nevertheless" is considered more formal and emphatic than "however." While "however" can convey both contrast and concession, "nevertheless" is more focused on presenting an idea of concession or surprise.

Comparative Table: However vs Nevertheless

The words "however" and "nevertheless" are both used to indicate a contrast or a concession in a sentence. However, there are some subtle differences between the two:

In summary, "however" is more neutral and can be used to introduce both positive and negative statements after a contrasting statement, while "nevertheless" is used to indicate a surprising or unexpected contrast and is generally more formal.