howsoever

Meanings

1. 1adverbformalliterary

   In whatever way or by whatever means; no matter how.

   Grammar: Used to introduce a clause, often followed by an adjective or adverb: howsoever difficult it may be.

   Patterns

   • howsoever + adjective/adverb + subject + verb
   • howsoever much
   • howsoever + clause

   Howsoever hard she tried, she could not change his mind.

   The rule applies to all members, howsoever they joined the club.

   Howsoever much we may disagree, we must remain civil.

2. 2adverbformalliterary

   To any degree or extent; however much.

   Grammar: Often used with 'much' or an adjective: howsoever much you pay.

   Patterns

   • howsoever much
   • howsoever + adjective

   Howsoever much you offer, he will not sell the painting.

   The task, howsoever small, must be done carefully.

Common combinations

howsoever much

Howsoever much they tried, they could not finish on time.

howsoever difficult

Howsoever difficult the journey, she was determined to go.

howsoever they wish

You may arrange the flowers howsoever they wish.

Synonyms and how they differ

however

However is the everyday word; howsoever is much more formal and mostly found in literature or legal writing.

no matter how

This phrase is more common in speech; howsoever has the same meaning but sounds old-fashioned or literary.

Word family

however adverb

In whatever way; also used to contrast ideas.

whatsoever adverb

Used after a negative to mean 'at all'.

Commonly confused: howsoever or whatsoever? howsoever or however?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “howsoever”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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