2 meanings, 76 uses
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1 —69 uses as in:
However, complications may...
Definition
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,, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrastand but.)
(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,
- Soon, however, we were, motoring down the village high street, and then the shops had gone and we found ourselves in open country.6e — Day 6 - Evening (34% in)
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- In the meantime, however, he was most keen that the staff of his predecessor - a staff of which he had heard high praise - be retained at Darlington Hall.Prologue (18% in)
- I fear, however, that in my anxiety to win the support of Mrs Clements and the girls, I did not perhaps assess quite as stringently my own limitations; and although my experience and customary caution in such matters prevented my giving myself more than I could actually carry out, I was perhaps negligent over this question of allowing myself a margin.Prologue (36% in)
- What I do not possess, however, is any suitable travelling clothes - that is to say, clothes in which I might be seen driving the car - unless I were to don the suit passed on by the young Lord Chalmers during the war, which despite being clearly too small for me, might be considered ideal in terms of tone.Prologue (47% in)
- Over the following days, however, I came to learn not to be surprised by such remarks from my employer, and would smile in the correct manner whenever I detected the bantering tone in his voice.Prologue (73% in)
- Mr Farraday, however, simply looked up at me and said: "I beg your pardon, Stevens?"Prologue (82% in)
- As it was, however, no suitable opportunity arose for me to gain such information.Prologue (96% in)
- However, let me return to my original thread.Prologue (97% in)
- My father's equanimity was not, however, allowed to last.1e — Day 1 - Evening (73% in)
- Mr Silvers, however, had remembered the significance the visit would have for my father, and had thus called him in to offer him the option of taking several days' leave for the duration of the General's stay.1e — Day 1 - Evening (84% in)
- However, because I knew her at close quarters only during her maiden years and have not seen her once since she went to the West Country to become 'Mrs Benn', you will perhaps excuse my impropriety in referring to her as I knew her, and in my mind have continued to call her throughout these years.2m — Day 2 - Morning (1% in)
- However, if you will consider the situation for a moment, you may come to see the inappropriateness of someone such as yourself talking 'down' to one such as my father.2m — Day 2 - Morning (10% in)
- However, one afternoon perhaps two weeks after our conversation in my pantry, I was doing something in the library when Miss Kenton came in and said: "Excuse me, Mr Stevens.2m — Day 2 - Morning (13% in)
- However, I am occupied at present.2m — Day 2 - Morning (17% in)
- However, after some time had passed, and I had exhausted the tasks which could usefully be achieved with the implements I happened to have at hand, Miss Kenton was evidently still outside.2m — Day 2 - Morning (17% in)
- This she did, however, rather rapidly and the next moment I found she had overtaken me and was standing before me, effectively barring my way.2m — Day 2 - Morning (18% in)
- However, after several days of endeavour, in which I myself did my best to assist, his lordship was not able to discover the whereabouts of any of Herr Bremann's family.2m — Day 2 - Morning (43% in)
- However - and I say this with some pride and gratitude - Lord Darlington never made any efforts to conceal things from my own eyes and ears; I can recall on numerous occasions, some personage breaking off in mid-sentence to glance warily towards my person, only for his lordship to say: 'Oh, that's all right.2m — Day 2 - Morning (44% in)
- For all the hard work on his and Sir David's part, however, this proved too harsh a deadline; but then with Mr George's conference ending yet again in indecision, his lordship set his sights on a further great conference scheduled to take place in Switzerland the following year.2m — Day 2 - Morning (46% in)
- However, this option, quite aside from the misgivings his lordship was bound to have as regards gossip travelling, entailed my having to rely on unknown quantities just when a mistake could prove most costly.2m — Day 2 - Morning (49% in)
- However, Stevens, Sir David has his funny side.2m — Day 2 - Morning (56% in)
- I may, however, have difficulty finding the appropriate moment to convey such information.2m — Day 2 - Morning (57% in)
- Coming upon me as it did, however, in the midst of such a busy period, I could not afford to let it preoccupy me unduly, and I thus decided I should resolve it at the earliest opportunity.2m — Day 2 - Morning (58% in)
- However, Mr Lewis' engagingly informal manner, and his statement at dinner that the United States "would always stand on the side of justice and didn't mind admitting mistakes had been made at Versailles" seemed to do much to win the confidence of his lordship's 'home team'; as dinner progressed, the conversation had slowly but surely turned from topics such as the merits of Mr Lewis' native Pennsylvania back to the conference ahead, and by the time the gentlemen were lighting their...2m — Day 2 - Morning (61% in)
- However, you must now please excuse me.2m — Day 2 - Morning (69% in)
- Mr Lewis apart, however, the other guests, perhaps through awe, perhaps through a sense of antagonism, kept a wary distance from M. Dupont, a fact that was conspicuous even in that generally guarded atmosphere, and which seemed to underline all the more the feeling that it was M. Dupont who somehow held the key to the outcome of the following days.2m — Day 2 - Morning (71% in)
- However, as fortune would have it, when I put my ear to M. Dupont's door, I happened to hear Mr Lewis' voice, and though I cannot recall precisely the actual words I first heard, it was the tone of his voice that raised my suspicions.2m — Day 2 - Morning (76% in)
- However, I am pleased to recall that by the time dinner was served an hour or so later, nothing but efficiency and professional calm was exhibited on the part of my team.2m — Day 2 - Morning (80% in)
- However," - he raised a finger - "this is not the time to enter into such debates.2m — Day 2 - Morning (84% in)
- However, I am for frankness in these matters.2m — Day 2 - Morning (85% in)
- However, if I may, there is a most distinguished gentleman downstairs in need of your attention.2m — Day 2 - Morning (99% in)
- However, it occurs to me that perhaps what one takes objection to is, specifically, the outmoded understanding of what a 'distinguished household' is, rather than to the general principle being expressed.2a — Day 2 - Afternoon (4% in)
- I could see from its windows, however, that at least half of it was dust-sheeted.2a — Day 2 - Afternoon (44% in)
- Eventually, however, after some searching, I found a signpost to 'Mortimer's Pond', and so it was that I arrived here at this spot a little over half an hour ago.2a — Day 2 - Afternoon (57% in)
- Mr and Mrs Wakefield, however, appeared to be as keen on the inspection as Mr Farraday, and as I went about my business, I would often catch various American exclamations of delight coming from whichever part of the house they had arrived at.2a — Day 2 - Afternoon (71% in)
- It is possible I might have quickly forgotten this exchange; however, following the Wakefields' departure, I took in afternoon tea to Mr Farraday in the drawing room and noticed he was in a rather preoccupied mood.2a — Day 2 - Afternoon (79% in)
- It soon became clear, however, that these local people were perturbed by my presence, feeling something of a need to show hospitality.3m — Day 3 - Morning (5% in)
- I was quite prepared to forgive the couple, however, for it was clear they were of diligent hard-working habits, and the noise, I am sure, was all attributable to this fact.3m — Day 3 - Morning (25% in)
- However, as I went about my business, all I could hear for some time was Lord Halifax, in various parts of the building, continuing to express his doubts about the evening ahead, and Lord Darlington trying in vain to reassure him.3m — Day 3 - Morning (53% in)
- It is, however, rather irksome to have to hear people talking today as though they were never for a moment taken in by Herr Ribbentrop - as though Lord Darlington was alone in believing Herr Ribbentrop an honourable gentleman and developing a working relationship with him.3m — Day 3 - Morning (59% in)
- However, the possibility had already occurred to me that Mr Farraday was simply feigning indifference in order to minimize my embarrassment, and such a surreptitious delivery could be interpreted as complacency on my part towards my error - or worse, an attempt to cover it up.3m — Day 3 - Morning (92% in)
- However, we must not allow sentiment to creep into our judgement.3e — Day 3 - Evening (6% in)
- Miss Kenton, however, simply looked at me sternly and said: "I still have every intention of handing in my notice, Mr Stevens.3e — Day 3 - Evening (9% in)
- To my surprise, however, once we had finished interviewing the girl, Miss Kenton began to insist we take her on.3e — Day 3 - Evening (17% in)
- At the town's main inn, however, I was informed all the rooms were occupied on account of a local agricultural fair.3e — Day 3 - Evening (27% in)
- There was little to be gained in growing respondent, however.3e — Day 3 - Evening (30% in)
- By then, however, it was very close to being dark, and I could see that if one were to attempt to hail a passing vehicle in these circumstances, one might easily be taken for a highwayman or some such.3e — Day 3 - Evening (31% in)
- Before this distressing piece of information could have its full effect, however, Mr Taylor said: "If you didn't mind roughing it a little, sir, we could offer you a room and a bed for the night.3e — Day 3 - Evening (33% in)
- Having said that, however, I do not mind confessing today - and I see nothing to be ashamed of in this that I did at times gain a sort of incidental enjoyment from these stories.3e — Day 3 - Evening (42% in)
- However, it had not been my intention to analyse here the various facets of this small episode from years ago.3e — Day 3 - Evening (43% in)
- However, I decided not to get drawn into an unseemly argument with her and made sure to pause for a telling moment or two before saying quite calmly: "If that is how you feel about it, Miss Kenton, there is no need at all for us to continue with these evening meetings.3e — Day 3 - Evening (52% in)
- However, if I change my view on this, I will let you know immediately.3e — Day 3 - Evening (58% in)
- However, just as we had finished supper and Mr Taylor was pouring for me a glass of ale brewed by a neighbour, we heard footsteps approaching on the gravel outside.3e — Day 3 - Evening (64% in)
- However, as far as this particular question is concerned, one would suspect that the quality being referred to might be most usefully termed 'dignity'.3e — Day 3 - Evening (72% in)
- My response, however, seemed to cause much satisfaction.3e — Day 3 - Evening (72% in)
- However, the unfortunate misunderstanding aside, there are perhaps one or two other aspects to this evening's events which warrant a few moments' thought - if only because otherwise they may come to niggle one throughout the coming days.3e — Day 3 - Evening (86% in)
- When I entered the drawing room on this last occasion, however, all the gentlemen stopped talking and looked at me.3e — Day 3 - Evening (88% in)
- However, if a butler is to be of any worth to anything or anybody in life, there must surely come a time when he ceases his searching; a time when he must say to himself: 'This employer embodies all that I find noble and admirable.3e — Day 3 - Evening (98% in)
- This 'dining hall' where I now sit, however, is a modern annexe built to adjoin the main building - a long, fiat room characterized by rows of large windows on either side.4a — Day 4 - Afternoon (1% in)
- However, knowing Miss Kenton as I do, I am inclined to think that a lack of any letter can be taken as agreement; were a meeting for any reason inconvenient, I feel sure she would not have hesitated to inform me.4a — Day 4 - Afternoon (7% in)
- I had little chance to study the village, however, for Dr Carlisle turned his car briskly into the driveway of a farmyard.4a — Day 4 - Afternoon (11% in)
- However, I am not at all certain now as to the actual circumstances which had led me to be standing thus in the back corridor.4a — Day 4 - Afternoon (32% in)
- However, I thought you should be informed of the situation.4a — Day 4 - Afternoon (46% in)
- However, should it be that you are able to release me earlier, we would be very grateful.4a — Day 4 - Afternoon (59% in)
- However, before five minutes had passed, Mr Cardinal appeared in the doorway of the library and beckoned me over.4a — Day 4 - Afternoon (63% in)
- However, in view of the fact that you have your column to complete, I wonder if it is entirely wise to partake further.4a — Day 4 - Afternoon (64% in)
- However, it is not my position to display curiosity about such matters.4a — Day 4 - Afternoon (74% in)
- Beyond this, however, I had little chance to gain any impression of the atmosphere, for no sooner had I entered than his lordship was taking the tray from me, saying: "Thank you, Stevens, I'll see to it.4a — Day 4 - Afternoon (96% in)
- Before long, however, I turned to her and said with a smile: "You're very correct, Mrs Benn.6e — Day 6 - Evening (57% in)
There are no more uses of "however" flagged with this meaning in The Remains of the Day.
Typical Usage
(best examples)
2 —2 uses as in:
However much she tried...
Definition
to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
- It's a great privilege, after all, to have been given a part to play, however small, on the world's stage.3e — Day 3 - Evening (77% in)
however = regardless of how
- And one has a right, perhaps, to feel a satisfaction those content to serve mediocre employers will never know - the satisfaction of being able to say with some reason that one's efforts, in however modest a way, comprise a contribution to the course of history.3m — Day 3 - Morning (84% in)
There are no more uses of "however" flagged with this meaning in The Remains of the Day.
Typical Usage
(best examples)
? —5 uses
exact meaning not specified
- However...4a — Day 4 - Afternoon (14% in)
- It has never, of course, been my privilege to have seen such things at first-hand, but I will nevertheless hazard this with some confidence: the English landscape at its finest - such as I saw it this morning possesses a quality that the landscapes of other nations, however more superficially dramatic, inevitably fail to possess.1e — Day 1 - Evening (25% in)
- The great butlers are great by virtue of their ability to inhabit their professional role and inhabit it to the utmost; they will not be shaken out by external events, however surprising, alarming or vexing.1e — Day 1 - Evening (93% in)
- It would have been seen as a far worthier calling, for instance, to serve a gentleman such as Mr George Ketteridge, who, however humble his beginnings, has made an undeniable contribution to the future well-being of the empire, than any gentleman, however aristocratic his origin, who idled away his time in clubs or on golf courses.2a — Day 2 - Afternoon (10% in)
- It would have been seen as a far worthier calling, for instance, to serve a gentleman such as Mr George Ketteridge, who, however humble his beginnings, has made an undeniable contribution to the future well-being of the empire, than any gentleman, however aristocratic his origin, who idled away his time in clubs or on golf courses.2a — Day 2 - Afternoon (10% in)
There are no more uses of "however" in The Remains of the Day.
Typical Usage
(best examples)