All 50 Uses of
however
in
Great Expectations
- All this time, I was getting on towards the river; but however fast I went, I couldn't warm my feet, to which the damp cold seemed riveted, as the iron was riveted to the leg of the man I was running to meet.
p. 16.1however = regardless of how
- The other, with an effort at a scornful smile, which could not, however, collect the nervous working of his mouth into any set expression, looked at the soldiers, and looked about at the marshes and at the sky, but certainly did not look at the speaker.
p. 37.4 *however = though (used to connect contrasting ideas)
- In order, however, that our superior position might not be compromised thereby, a money-box was kept on the kitchen mantel-shelf, in to which it was publicly made known that all my earnings were dropped.†
p. 44.8however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- They were so much occupied, however, in discussing the marvels I had already presented for their consideration, that I escaped.†
p. 71.9
- We traversed but one side of the square, however, and at the end of it she stopped, and put her candle down and opened a door.†
p. 83.4
- Chokings and nervous jerkings, however, are nothing new to me when I think with anxiety of those I love.†
p. 90.4
- Not, however, until Biddy had imparted to me everything she knew, from the little catalogue of prices, to a comic song she had once bought for a half-penny.†
p. 115.1
- As it turned out, however, that he only wanted me for a dramatic lay-figure, to be contradicted and embraced and wept over and bullied and clutched and stabbed and knocked about in a variety of ways, I soon declined that course of instruction; though not until Mr. Wopsle in his poetic fury had severely mauled me.†
p. 115.8
- This, however, was a mere question of length and wearisomeness.†
p. 124.2
- The fire had not then burnt unusually low, nor was the snuff of the candle very long; the candle, however, had been blown out.†
p. 127.7
- Imperceptibly I became conscious of a change in Biddy, however.†
p. 132.8however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using "though", "in spite of that", "in contrast", "nevertheless", etc.
- It was not to be shuffled off now, however, and I answered, "The beautiful young lady at Miss Havisham's, and she's more beautiful than anybody ever was, and I admire her dreadfully, and I want to be a gentleman on her account."†
p. 136.6however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- It never did run out, however, but was brought to a premature end, as I proceed to relate.†
p. 140.9
- Now, you are distinctly to understand that you are most positively prohibited from making any inquiry on this head, or any allusion or reference, however distant, to any individual whomsoever as the individual, in all the communications you may have with me.
p. 146.9however = regardless of how
- He was so perfectly innocent of my meaning, however, that I thought I would mention it to Biddy in preference.†
p. 157.3however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- It had an official look, however, and there was nothing merely ornamental to be seen.†
p. 222.8
- "I'll tell you, however," said I, "whether you want to know or not.†
p. 227.0
- I wrote, however, to Mr. Trabb by next day's post, to say that Mr. Pip must decline to deal further with one who could so far forget what he owed to the best interests of society, as to employ a boy who excited Loathing in every respectable mind.†
p. 260.7
- The neighborhood, however, highly approved of these arrangements, and we were much admired as we went through the village; the more youthful and vigorous part of the community making dashes now and then to cut us off, and lying in wait to intercept us at points of vantage.†
p. 299.1
- The Spider, as Mr. Jaggers had called him, was used to lying in wait, however, and had the patience of his tribe.†
p. 330.4
- She was immediately deposed, however, by Herbert, who silently led me into the parlor and shut the door.†
p. 397.2
- A certain dark-complexioned Swab, however, who wouldn't fill, or do anything else that was proposed to him, and whose heart was openly stated (by the boatswain) to be as black as his figure-head, proposed to two other Swabs to get all mankind into difficulties; which was so effectually done (the Swab family having considerable political influence) that it took half the evening to set things right, and then it was only brought about through an honest little grocer with a white hat, black gaiters, and red nose, getting into a clock, with a gridiron, and listening, and coming out, and knocking everybody down from behind with the gridiron whom he couldn't confute with what he had overheard.†
p. 406.6
- I could not doubt, either, that he was there, because I was there, and that, however slight an appearance of danger there might be about us, danger was always near and active.
p. 409.9 *however = regardless of how
- As I thought the time was now come for pursuing the theme I had at heart, I said, turning on Mr. Jaggers:— "I did ask something of Miss Havisham, however, sir.†
p. 436.1however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- I knew very well, however, that the appointed place was the little sluice-house by the limekiln on the marshes, and the hour nine.†
p. 448.8
- In that light, however, I soon lost them, and, feeling very cold, lay down to think of the matter, and fell asleep again.†
p. 470.9
- The old gentleman, however, experienced so much difficulty in getting his gloves on, that Wemmick found it necessary to put him with his back against a pillar, and then to get behind the pillar himself and pull away at them, while I for my part held the old gentleman round the waist, that he might present and equal and safe resistance.†
p. 482.9
- It was completely done, however, and when we were going out of church Wemmick took the cover off the font, and put his white gloves in it, and put the cover on again.†
p. 483.8
- However, in the confusion of the mist, I found myself at last too far to the right, and consequently had to try back along the river-side, on the bank of loose stones above the mud and the stakes that staked the tide out.†
p. 16.2
- That, if Joe knew it, I never afterwards could see him glance, however casually, at yesterday's meat or pudding when it came on to-day's table, without thinking that he was debating whether I had been in the pantry.†
p. 41.7
- "However," said Joe, rising to replenish the fire; "here's the Dutch-clock a working himself up to being equal to strike Eight of 'em, and she's not come home yet!†
p. 51.4
- However, the only thing to be done being to knock at the door, I knocked, and was told from within to enter.†
p. 58.8
- However, I got dressed, darkly wiping my sanguinary face at intervals, and I said, "Can I help you?" and he said "No thankee," and I said "Good afternoon," and he said "Same to you."†
p. 96.7
- However, go to Miss Havisham's I must, and go I did.†
p. 99.2
- However, as he thought his court-suit necessary to the occasion, it was not for me tell him that he looked far better in his working-dress; the rather, because I knew he made himself so dreadfully uncomfortable, entirely on my account, and that it was for me he pulled up his shirt-collar so very high behind, that it made the hair on the crown of his head stand up like a tuft of feathers.†
p. 104.1
- However, they were grown up and had their own way, and they made the most of it.†
p. 111.1
- It was horrible to think that I had provided the weapon, however undesignedly, but I could hardly think otherwise.†
p. 128.9
- However, I temporized with myself, of course—for, was I not wavering between right and wrong, when the thing is always done?†
p. 129.2
- However, her temper was greatly improved, and she was patient.†
p. 130.1
- However novel and peculiar this testimony of attachment, I did not doubt the accuracy of the interpretation.†
p. 139.9
- However, I came into town on the Monday night to be ready for Joe, and I got up early in the morning, and caused the sitting-room and breakfast-table to assume their most splendid appearance.†
p. 230.8
- However, I come here some time since you left.†
p. 246.9
- However, this is not London talk.†
p. 275.2
- However, my determined manner would have its effect, and Herbert would fall to work again.†
p. 293.9
- However, having an infirmity—for I am hard of hearing, sir—" I expressed in pantomime the greatest astonishment.†
p. 313.3
- However, it was decided at last (the Grove being a Court of Honor) that if Mr. Drummle would bring never so slight a certificate from the lady, importing that he had the honor of her acquaintance, Mr. Pip must express his regret, as a gentleman and a Finch, for "having been betrayed into a warmth which."†
p. 329.4
- Still, however you have found me out, there must be something good in the feeling that has brought you here, and I will not repulse you; but surely you must understand that—I—" My attention was so attracted by the singularity of his fixed look at me, that the words died away on my tongue.†
p. 337.2
- 'However, you have found me out,' you says just now.†
p. 339.8
- However, did I find you out?†
p. 339.9
- I said to Herbert, meanwhile, that even if Provis were recognized and taken, in spite of himself, I should be wretched as the cause, however innocently.†
p. 363.8 *
Definitions:
-
(1)
(however as in: However, complications may...) though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas)
(Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrastand but.) -
(2)
(however as in: However much she tried...) to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
-
(3)
(however as in: However you do it, get it done!) in whatever way
-
(4)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
Much more rarely (and arguably incorrectly), however can be used to intensify the word how, as when one says "However did you find her?" Grammarians would suggest using two words for that usage: "How ever did you find her?"