Practice
Nevertheless or nonetheless: choosing a connector
The train was delayed. Nevertheless, we arrived before the meeting began. The second sentence does not deny the delay. It introduces a result that may surprise the reader.
Use nevertheless and nonetheless to connect a fact with a contrasting result, and place either connector naturally in a sentence.
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
nevertheless; nonetheless /ˌnɛv.ɚ.ðəˈlɛs/; /ˌnʌn.ðəˈlɛs/
The short answer
Use nevertheless or nonetheless when the next statement is true despite the previous statement. Put a comma after the connector when it begins a sentence: The road was closed. Nevertheless, we found another route.
The instructions were detailed. Nonetheless, the team finished the task quickly.
Why it works: Nonetheless connects the detailed instructions with the unexpected quick result.
5 more examples
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The weather forecast predicted rain. Nevertheless, the outdoor class continued.
The class continued despite the forecast.
Not this:The weather forecast predicted rain,
but the outdoor class continued. What changes: But gives the same basic contrast in a less formal pattern. -
The apartment is small. Nonetheless, it has enough room for a desk.
The available room is presented as surprising in relation to the apartment's size.
Not this:
Although the apartment is small, it has enough room for a desk. What changes: Although introduces the contrast as a dependent clause instead of linking two statements. -
The proposal had risks, but it was nevertheless worth considering.
Nevertheless appears inside the clause after the subject and before the complement.
Not this:The proposal had risks, but it
was still worth considering. What changes: Still can express a similar idea in a more everyday style. -
Several people were absent; nonetheless, the meeting reached a decision.
A semicolon can join the two complete clauses before the connector.
Not this:Several people were absent. The meeting
still reached a decision. What changes: Two shorter sentences can express the same relationship when a semicolon is unnecessary. -
The repair took longer than expected. We nevertheless kept the original deadline.
Nevertheless can follow the subject when it describes the main action of the clause.
Not this:The repair took longer than expected.
Even so, we kept the original deadline. What changes: Even so is another way to show that the second fact holds despite the first.
Read the full guide
First, find the contrast. Ask whether the second statement happened or remains true despite the first statement. If it does, nevertheless or nonetheless may fit. These words are stronger and more formal than a simple but, so use them when the contrast is worth making clear.
Find the fact that does not change the result
Use these connectors when the first fact could make the reader expect a different outcome. The second statement shows what happened anyway.
The store was crowded. Nevertheless, I found what I needed.
The crowd might make shopping difficult, but it did not prevent the speaker from finding the item.
Does nevertheless show addition, cause, or contrast in this example?
It shows contrast. Finding the item happened despite the crowd.
Use a comma at the beginning of a sentence
When nevertheless or nonetheless opens a complete sentence, a comma normally follows it. The comma helps the reader see the connector before the main statement.
The deadline was close. Nonetheless, the editor checked every page.
The connector comes before the complete statement the editor checked every page.
Choose the punctuation: Nevertheless ___ the shipment arrived on time.
Use a comma: Nevertheless, the shipment arrived on time.
Put the connector inside the clause when it helps
You can place either connector after the subject or near the main verb. This position often works when you want to keep the first contrast in the same sentence.
The candidate nevertheless answered every question calmly.
Nevertheless describes answered. It says the calm answer came despite an earlier difficulty in the context.
Complete the sentence: The report was late, but it was ___ useful.
Use nevertheless or nonetheless: The report was late, but it was nevertheless useful.
Link complete clauses carefully
Two complete clauses need more than a comma between them. Use a period, or use a semicolon before nevertheless or nonetheless when the relationship is close.
The route was unfamiliar; nevertheless, the driver arrived on time.
The semicolon joins two complete clauses. The comma follows nevertheless.
Correct the punctuation: The route was unfamiliar, nevertheless, the driver arrived on time.
Use a period or semicolon before nevertheless: The route was unfamiliar; nevertheless, the driver arrived on time.
Choose a connector that matches the tone
Nevertheless and nonetheless fit formal emails, reports, and careful explanations. In a casual conversation, but, still, or even so may sound more natural. The meaning, not the formality, decides whether you need a contrast.
The café was busy, but we found a table.
But gives a direct contrast without the formal tone of nevertheless.
Which connector is likely to fit a formal report: nevertheless or yeah, but?
Use nevertheless. It is appropriate for a formal report when the contrast is real.
Before you go
Remember this
Use nevertheless or nonetheless when a second fact is true despite the first. At the start of a sentence, add a comma after the connector. In most cases, either word works, so choose a natural formal tone and make sure the sentence contains a real contrast.
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 "Nevertheless or nonetheless: choosing a connector"
Do nevertheless and nonetheless mean the same thing?
They have the same core meaning in most sentences. Both introduce a fact or result that is true despite the previous statement. You can usually replace one with the other without changing the main contrast.
The weather forecast predicted rain. Nevertheless, the outdoor class continued.
Should I put a comma after nevertheless?
Yes, normally use a comma when nevertheless begins a sentence: Nevertheless, the plan worked. When the word appears inside a clause, punctuation depends on the sentence structure.
The weather forecast predicted rain, but the outdoor class continued.
Can I use nevertheless after a semicolon?
Yes. A semicolon can join two closely related complete clauses: The bus was late; nevertheless, we reached the station on time. Use a comma after nevertheless.
The apartment is small. Nonetheless, it has enough room for a desk.
Is nevertheless more formal than but?
Usually, yes. Nevertheless and nonetheless often fit formal writing or careful explanation. But is common and natural in both speech and writing. Choose the connector that fits your tone and the strength of the contrast.
Although the apartment is small, it has enough room for a desk.
How is however different from nevertheless?
However can introduce many kinds of contrast. Nevertheless usually adds the specific idea that the second statement remains true despite the first. In a sentence where that despite relationship matters, nevertheless or nonetheless makes it clearer.
The proposal had risks, but it was nevertheless worth considering.