Adverbs introducing a new idea
However, nevertheless and nonetheless are linking adverbs. Rather than joining clauses as subordinating conjunctions do, they signal a relationship between two independent ideas: the second goes against an expectation created by the first.
They are more formal than but and typical of writing, letters, reports and arguments. But joins clauses within a sentence; these words introduce a new sentence, or a new clause after a semicolon.
Idea A. However, / Nevertheless, / Nonetheless, + idea B
The hike was exhausting. However, we would gladly do it again.
The hike was exhausting. However, we would gladly do it again.
The connector introduces the second independent idea and is followed by a comma.
Her accent is strong. Nonetheless, everyone understands her.
Her accent is strong. Nonetheless, everyone understands her.
A strong accent might hinder understanding, but does not: this is a concession.
What comes before the connector?
Two independent ideas need a stronger boundary than a comma: a full stop or semicolon. A comma alone produces an error called a comma splice.
After a full stop, capitalise the connector. After a semicolon, use a lower-case letter because the sentence continues. A semicolon works when the two ideas are closely related and you want them to read as one whole.
Interest rates rose; nevertheless, house prices kept climbing.
Interest rates rose; nevertheless, house prices kept climbing.
A semicolon, a lower-case letter and a comma after the connector.
The bus was late. However, we made the train.
The bus was late. However, we made the train.
A full stop between ideas, a capital letter and a comma after the one-word connector.
The comma after the connector, and three positions
At the beginning of the second idea, put a comma after the connector: However, … / Nevertheless, … / Nonetheless, …. This is the standard written punctuation.
Parenthetical however within a clause is usually set off by paired commas: The board, however, is cautious. Nevertheless and nonetheless can be parenthetical, but can also be closely integrated into the predicate without commas: The festival nevertheless broke even. Punctuation depends on how the word is integrated, rather than only on its position.
However is especially common in final position, with a comma before it. This position sounds lighter and more conversational.
The proposal is bold. The board, however, is cautious.
The proposal is bold. The board, however, is cautious.
Middle position: commas on both sides.
I like the design. I find it heavy, however.
I like the design. I find it heavy, however.
Final position: a comma before however and a full stop after it.
Ticket sales were weak. The festival, nevertheless, broke even.
Ticket sales were weak. The festival, nevertheless, broke even.
Concession in middle position; nevertheless is parenthetical here.
Concession or simple contrast?
Nevertheless and nonetheless mean “despite what has been said”. The second idea must therefore be unexpected in light of the first: a difficulty might have prevented something but did not. These two words are almost interchangeable.
However has a wider meaning: it can express concession or simply contrast two facts. Nevertheless and nonetheless usually imply “despite this”, so they need an appropriate relationship with the preceding idea or wider context.
Jan runs every morning. However, his sister prefers swimming.
Jan runs every morning. However, his sister prefers swimming.
A simple comparison of two people: however is natural here.
Jan had a cold. Nevertheless, he ran ten kilometres.
Jan had a cold. Nevertheless, he ran ten kilometres.
He ran the distance despite a cold: this is a concession.
Related forms, and however with another meaning
Compare the structures: although introduces a subordinate clause; despite introduces a noun phrase, -ing or the fact that; however as a linking adverb comments on the relationship between ideas. They can coexist in a complex sentence, but do not replace each other mechanically.
However has another meaning: before an adjective, adverb or clause, it can mean “no matter how”. This is not a connector between sentences: an adjective, adverb or clause follows, and the comma comes only after the whole subordinate clause.
Although it was cold, we swam. It was cold. Nevertheless, we swam.
Although it was cold, we swam. It was cold. Nevertheless, we swam.
A subordinating conjunction gives one sentence; a connector gives two sentences.
However tired you are, call her tonight.
However tired you are, call her tonight.
Here however means “no matter how”, rather than functioning as a linking connector.
Register, but and text cohesion
But or however is usually sufficient for a simple contrast. But, however,… can be an emphatic or parenthetical combination, but often overloads the expression. If you remove but between two independent clauses and leave only however, use a full stop or semicolon.
None the less, written as three words, is an alternative spelling of nonetheless found in British writing. In this topic, we write nevertheless and nonetheless as single words. Connectors are not decoration: use them only when the second idea really contrasts with the first, and do not string them through every sentence.
The sofa looked tired, but it was comfortable.
The sofa looked tired, but it was comfortable.
An informal version with but within one sentence.
The sofa looked tired. However, it was comfortable.
The sofa looked tired. However, it was comfortable.
A more formal version: two sentences and a connector with a comma.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:The meeting ran long, nevertheless everyone stayed to the end.
Correct:The meeting ran long. Nevertheless, everyone stayed to the end.
A comma between two independent ideas creates a comma splice. Use a full stop or semicolon, and a comma after the connector.
Incorrect:The soup was cold. However it tasted wonderful.
Correct:The soup was cold. However, it tasted wonderful.
Put a comma after the initial connector.
Incorrect:The offer looked tempting, but however Lena turned it down.
Correct:The offer looked tempting. However, Lena turned it down.
For neutral writing, simplify the duplicated contrast and fix the punctuation. Parenthetical but, however,… is possible with other punctuation; these words are not a prohibited pair in themselves.
Incorrect:The test was easy; However, few students finished.
Correct:The test was easy; however, few students finished.
The sentence continues after a semicolon, so use a lower-case letter for the connector.
Incorrect:The report was long. Its author however, was concise.
Correct:The report was long. Its author, however, was concise.
Parenthetical however inside the sentence is set off by commas on both sides.