All 12 Uses
however
in
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
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- Volkovoi, however, had shouted that they were to search for something and so the guards peeled off their gloves, ordered everyone to pull up his jacket (where every little bit of barrack-room warmth was treasured) and unbutton his shirt.†
however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- To make sure that no one took bowls from the canteen, a man had to be posted at the door; but however careful he might be people took them just the same, either by distracting his attention or talking him into it.
*however = regardless of how
- And however much blood you sweat at work, however much you grovel on your belly, you'll force no food out of that earth; you'll get no more than the damned authorities give you.
- And however much blood you sweat at work, however much you grovel on your belly, you'll force no food out of that earth; you'll get no more than the damned authorities give you.
- Young swarthy Pavlo, however, went calmly on with his double portion, and there was no way of telling whether he noticed anyone standing there, or even reniembered those extra bowls at all.†
however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- The escort, however, robbed mercifully—they had to leave something for the guards, and for the zeks themselves, who otherwise wouldn't bring any with them.†
- At first he elbowed his way through the crowd mercilessly (protecting his cigarette in his fist, however).†
*however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using "though", "in spite of that", "in contrast", "nevertheless", etc.
- "Well," he said conclusively, "however much you pray it doesn't shorten your stretch."
however = regardless of how
- Then he removed his hat from his clean-shaven head—however cold it might be, he could never bring himself to eat with his hat on—and stirred the cold stew, taking a quick look to see what kind of helping they'd given him.†
- However, he ate it with his usual slow concentration.†
- However, Tsezar had all his bags with him—everything in order.†
- However, he couldn't go on watching the old man— he had other things to do.†
Definitions:
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(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 contrast and but.
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(2)
(however as in: However much she tried...) to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
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(3)
(however as in: However you do it, get it done!) in whatever way
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(4)
(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?"