However and nevertheless

ROBINDESBOIS · #1 January 22, 2011, 07:58 AM

I know that nevertheless is used in a very formal register, and in the written language.
Any other differences?

Perikles · #2 January 22, 2011, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBINDESBOIS

I know that nevertheless is used in a very formal register, and in the written language.
Any other differences?

Yes - however has a wider application:

e.g. an aderb meaning 'no matter how':
However much you beg, the answer is no.

However can also mean nevertheless. If so, it is always followed by a comma, and also preceeded by one if in the middle of a sentence:

Although your argument makes no sense, nevertheless you may have a point.
Although your argument makes no sense, however, you may have a point.

I think we have been over this before, and others have disagreed.

ROBINDESBOIS · #3 January 22, 2011, 10:21 AM

He is an idiot nevertheless.
He is an idiot however. ???
The second one sounds funny , doesn´t it?

Perikles · #4 January 22, 2011, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBINDESBOIS

He is an idiot nevertheless.
He is an idiot, however. ???
The second one sounds funny , doesn´t it?

No, it doesn't. You do, however, need a comma before the however.

Awaken · #5 January 24, 2011, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perikles

Yes - however has a wider application:

e.g. an aderb meaning 'no matter how':
However much you beg, the answer is no.

However can also mean nevertheless. If so, it is always followed by a comma, and also preceeded by one if in the middle of a sentence:

Although your argument makes no sense, nevertheless you may have a point.
Although your argument makes no sense, however, you may have a point.

I think we have been over this before, and others have disagreed.

You are probably thinking of the Yet vs. However debate.

Robin: You can read that thread here: http://forums.tomisimo.org/showthread.php?t=9804

It discusses some similar topics that may help with this.

poli · #6 January 24, 2011, 01:48 PM

As mentioned before however has more meanings that nevertheless. The important thing to know that however usually means but (pero).
Nevertheless means sin embargo/ no obstante.

chileno · #7 January 24, 2011, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBINDESBOIS

He is an idiot nevertheless.
He is an idiot however. ???
The second one sounds funny , doesn´t it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perikles

No, it doesn't. You do, however, need a comma before the however.

When I was in school it used to be very popular to read some letters circulating in the schools of my city in which there were maybe a paragraph or two and two versions of the same prose but with different punctuation...

You happen to know of any in English, or Spanish for that matter?

Perikles · #8 January 25, 2011, 03:20 AM

Compare:

What is this thing called love?
What is this thing called, love?

chileno · #9 January 25, 2011, 09:24 AM

That's why I was asking... love.

poli · #10 January 25, 2011, 09:50 AM

Don't. Stop.
Don't stop.

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However and nevertheless

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