[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/however.html)

[home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/) / [The school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/) / however

[← H](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/H/)

# however

«however» in Mova's school dictionary: **but, or in spite of that** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 5 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it.

### part of speech

adverb (however); conjunction (however)

### meaning for a pupil

1) However means but, or in spite of that. It shows that something different or surprising comes next. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/however/#m1)

2) However also means in whatever way: do it however you like. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/however/#m2)

3) However also means no matter how: however hard he tried, the jar stayed shut. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/however/#m3)

4) In questions, however means how (showing surprise): however did you find it? [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/however/#m4)

### sense in the lessons

In maths: a story word that turns the story; often marks a change after the first fact, and the next part tells the action (often taking away); «however many you take» means in every case. In writing: a joining word between two ideas that differ. Phrases: however much, however many, however hard, however you like.

### examples

- She had 20 sweets; however, she gave 6 away. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/however/#x1)
- He planned to read 50 pages; however, he read only 30. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/however/#x2)
- The shop had 10 cakes; however, 4 were sold. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/however/#x3)
- However many you take, 2 will be left. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/however/#x4)
- It was raining. However, we still went to the park. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/however/#x5)
- However hard I try, I cannot whistle. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/however/#x6)
- You can draw it however you like. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/however/#x7)
- However did you get up there? [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/however/#x8)
- However, I will do my best. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/however/#x9)

### note

When it means «but», put a comma after it at the start of a sentence: However, … Signals a change is coming; read the next part for the action (often taking away). No operation by itself.

### In the corpora

- [Coyote never catches him, however many ACME rockets he buys.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/biology/122-looney-tunes-real-roadrunner-and-coyote/1/)
- [No speech, no song, however much the young animals bang the table — just polite talk and questions about their families.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/books/73-willows-ch12-part4-an-altered-toad/3/)
- [Pour oil into a glass of water and it sits on top in its own layer, however long you wait.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/chemistry/7-oil-and-water/0/)
- [Linking words such as "however", "because" and "as a result" show how ideas connect.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/english/37-paragraphs-and-cohesion-holding-a-text-together/12/)
- [Many crashes happen on short trips close to home, so you buckle up for every trip, however short.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/268-in-the-car-and-seat-belts/20/)

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «however» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/however/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.