however English · revision 1830

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=c. 1380}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /haʊˈɛv.ə/ ''(UK)''; /haʊˈɛv.ɚ/ ''(US)''^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a compound, [[af|en|how|ever]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(MWU 2024) first written in Middle English as hou-ever.^(RHWU) In poetry it is often shortened to ''howe'er''.^(Chambers 2008)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ In whatever manner, by whatever means, introducing a subordinate clause (about 1380).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The first senses were the ones that keep ''how'' in view: “in whatever way” (about 1380) and “to whatever extent” (about 1400).^(OED 1989)^(HTOED) In the late 16th century ''however'' also meant “although” and “in any case, at all events”, uses now obsolete or archaic.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002) The sense now most common, “nevertheless, for all that”, qualifying a whole clause, is first recorded in 1613,^(OED 1989) and Johnson (1755) gave it as the third sense of the word.^(Johnson 1755) The emphatic interrogative use, ''however did you get here?'', is from 1607 and is colloquial.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1380 – in whatever manner.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1400 – to whatever extent.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1591 – although; at any rate (both obsolete).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1607 – emphatic ''how'' in questions.^(OED 1989)^(HTOED)

+ * 1613 – nevertheless, yet.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1876 – used on its own as a comment or interjection.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # Nevertheless; yet; on the other hand, introducing a contrasting statement.^(AHD)^(COED 2004)^(Collins 2023)

+ # In whatever way: ''however you look at it''.^(AHD)^(COED 2004)

+ # To whatever degree: ''however long it takes''.^(AHD)^(COED 2004)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(informal)'' An emphatic form of ''how'': ''however did you manage?''^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Conjunction===

+ # In whatever manner: ''go however you like''.^(AHD)^(MWU 2024)

+ # ''(archaic)'' Although.^(AHD)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[how]]

+ * [[ever]]

+ * [[whatever]]

+ * [[nevertheless]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Some grammarians have objected to ''however'' at the start of a sentence, but many reputable writers use it there.^(AHD) As an adverb it is written as one word, but when ''ever'' merely adds emphasis to ''how'' it is written separately (''how ever did you manage?'').^(COED 2004)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}