Concessive however attaches directly to a gradable adjective or adverb, followed by subject and verb in normal order, as in however hard he tried, he couldn’t solve it. This differs from sentence-connector however, meaning nevertheless, which stands alone with a comma and never inverts the subject.
Grammar Rule
Concessive however attaches directly to a gradable adjective or adverb, followed by subject and verb in normal order: However hard he tried, he couldn’t lift the box. This differs from sentence-connector however, meaning nevertheless, which stands alone with a comma. Never insert an auxiliary before the subject after the adjective/adverb.
However + Adjective/Adverb + Subject + Verb: Rules and Examples
| Use | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Concessive however | plus adj/adv plus subject plus verb, no comma | However hard he tried, he couldn’t solve it. |
| Sentence-connector however | stands alone, comma, independent clause | He tried hard. However, he failed. |
| Common error | auxiliary inverted before subject | However hard did he try (incorrect) |
Remember: However plus adjective/adverb plus subject plus verb — no comma after however and no auxiliary before the subject.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below using concessive however correctly with adjectives or adverbs. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
C1-19 However + Adjective/Adverb + Subject + Verb
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does concessive however attach to?
A gradable adjective or adverb, followed by subject and verb, as in however hard he tried, he couldn’t solve it.
How does concessive however differ from sentence-connector however?
Sentence-connector however means nevertheless and stands alone with a comma, while concessive however attaches directly to an adjective or adverb.
Is a comma used after concessive however?
No, no comma is used after concessive however.
Can an auxiliary be inserted before the subject in this structure?
No, that would be a common error; normal subject-verb order is used.