Practice
However or how ever: which spelling is correct?
The bus was late. However, we arrived before the meeting started. In that sentence, however is one word because it links two ideas with a contrast.
Use however as the usual one-word form for contrast, degree, and questions, and recognize the rare cases where how and ever do separate jobs.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
however /haʊˈevər/
The short answer
Write however as one word in ordinary sentences about contrast, degree, or an uncertain method. Write how ever as two words only when ever separately emphasizes a question beginning with how.
However carefully Mina planned, the rain changed the schedule.
Why it works: However means no matter how, so it is one word.
5 more examples
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The café was full. However, we found two seats outside.
However introduces a result that contrasts with the first sentence.
Not this:The café was
full, howeverwe found two seats outside. What changes: A comma alone cannot join these two complete sentences. Use a period or a semicolon before however. -
However expensive the repair is, we need the car for work.
However means no matter how in this sentence.
Not this:
No matter howexpensive the repair is, we need the car for work. What changes: This has the same meaning and shows why however is one word. -
However did you remember my birthday?
However adds surprise to a question about the method or reason.
Not this:
How didyou remember my birthday? What changes: The plain question is more neutral. -
How ever did you carry all those boxes upstairs?
Some writers separate the words when ever clearly emphasizes how in an astonished question.
Not this:
How didyou carry all those boxes upstairs? What changes: This is the usual neutral question. -
The instructions were confusing. We finished the task, however.
At the end of the sentence, however still signals contrast.
Not this:The instructions were confusing. We
stillfinished the task. What changes: Still gives a similar contrast in a more informal way.
Read the full guide
First, look at the job of the word. If it joins an idea to a contrasting result, use however. If it means no matter how, use however too. A separate how ever usually appears in an emphatic question, and the sentence often still works after you remove ever.
Use one word for contrast
However often connects an earlier idea to a different or unexpected result. It usually means despite that or but. Write it as one word.
The map was old. However, it showed the correct street.
The map was old, but it showed the correct street.
Which form connects the two ideas: however or how ever?
Use however. It introduces a contrast between the map being old and the street being correct.
Punctuate a contrast clearly
When however joins two complete sentences, give it a strong pause. A period is simple and clear. A semicolon is also possible. A comma by itself is not enough.
The store closed early. However, I ordered the book online.
The store closed early; however, I ordered the book online.
Can a comma alone connect two complete sentences before however?
No. Use a period or a semicolon before however when both sides are complete sentences.
Use however for no matter how
However can also introduce a degree. In this pattern, it means no matter how. The word still stays together.
However carefully you pack, label the box with your address.
No matter how carefully you pack, label the box with your address.
What does however mean before carefully in this sentence?
It means no matter how carefully.
Notice emphatic questions
A speaker may add ever to a how question to show surprise. Both however and how ever appear in published writing for this idea. The separated form makes the emphasis easier to see, but it is not needed in a neutral question.
How ever did they finish the project in one day?
How did they finish the project in one day?
Which question sounds more surprised?
How ever did they finish the project in one day? The word ever adds emphasis.
Choose the plain question when it fits
Most questions do not need ever. If you are simply asking for information, use how did, how can, or how will. This choice keeps the tone calm and direct.
How can I change the delivery address?
How ever can I change the delivery address?
Which version is better for a routine customer-service question?
Use How can I change the delivery address? It asks for help without added surprise or emotion.
Before you go
Remember this
Use however as one word for contrast, for no matter how, and for most emphatic questions. Use how ever only when how and ever have separate roles in a strongly emphasized question. If the sentence is a normal question, remove ever and use how by itself.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "However or how ever: which spelling is correct?"
Is however usually one word?
Yes. Write however as one word when it means despite that, but, in whatever way, or no matter how. These are the common uses in ordinary writing. The spelling stays the same whether however begins a sentence, appears after a semicolon, or comes before an adjective such as difficult.
The café was full, however we found two seats outside.
Can I start a sentence with however?
Yes. You can write a complete sentence, then begin the next sentence with However followed by a comma when it introduces a contrast. For example, a plan may have problems. However, it can still be the best available choice. This pattern makes the relationship easy to read.
However expensive the repair is, we need the car for work.
Does however mean the same as but?
However often has a similar contrast meaning to but, but the grammar is different. But normally joins parts of one sentence. However commonly links two complete sentences or interrupts a sentence as a conjunctive adverb. Read the punctuation as well as the meaning before choosing one.
No matter how expensive the repair is, we need the car for work.
When can how ever be written as two words?
How ever can appear when ever separately adds strong emphasis to a question beginning with how, especially a surprised question. For example, a speaker might ask How ever did that happen? Most routine questions do not need ever, so How did that happen? is usually the simpler choice.
However did you remember my birthday?
Can however mean no matter how?
Yes. Before an adjective or adverb, however can mean no matter how. In However carefully you drive, some roads remain difficult, however carefully has the same basic meaning as no matter how carefully. This use is one word, even though the phrase begins with the sound how.
How did you remember my birthday?