All 9 Uses
however
in
The Railway Children
(Edited)
- The others said he cried over it — but of course boys of ten do not cry, however terrible the tragedies may be which darken their lot.
p. 3.4however = regardless of how
- 'If you're cold, go and have a good romp in the attic. That'll warm you.'
...
Peter did not answer. He shrugged his shoulders. He was thinking. Thought, however, could not long keep itself from the suitable furnishing of a bandit's lair in the attic.p. 34.7however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc. - And they were also quite sure that he was quite sure, however little he cared to own it.
p. 42.9however = regardless of how
- Then another day when the children thought they would like to fish in the canal, a boy in a barge threw lumps of coal at them.... On the bridge, however, Roberta felt quite safe, because she could look down on the canal, and if any boy showed signs of meaning to throw coal, she could duck behind the parapet.
p. 69.6however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
- 'Perhaps the old gentleman won't notice,' said Bobbie. 'The aged are often weak in the eyes.' There was no sign of weakness, however, in the eyes, or in any other part of the old gentleman, as he stepped from the train and looked up and down the platform.
p. 133.2 *however = though (used to connect contrasting ideas)
- 'He's got lots of flowers of his own,' said Peter.
'But it's always nice to have them given you,' said Bobbie, 'however many you've got of your own.p. 161.9however = regardless of how - 'We shall always be friends with you, however nasty you are to us,' sniffed Phyllis, wildly.
p. 174.2 *
- 'Oh, drat charity,' said Mrs Perks; 'nobody won't offer you charity, Bert, however much you was to want it, I lay.'
p. 178.7
- However nice the person who is teaching you may be, lessons are lessons all the world over, and at their best are worse fun than peeling potatoes or lighting a fire.
p. 258.5
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 contrast and 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
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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?"