Nevertheless vs. nonetheless
Nevertheless vs. nonetheless are indeed similar words, and are synonyms that can be used in similar contexts. It’s no mystery people confuse the two.
Both words both belong to the same part of speech; i.e, they’re compound adverbs that express contrast. There is a difference between them worth observing, however subtle it may be. Let’s take a closer look.
- Nonetheless means ‘in contrast to‘ something that happened or was said. It’s similar to ‘conversely’.
- Nevertheless means ‘in spite of’ what was mentioned, and is similar to ‘however’, or ‘even still’.
What are compound adverbs?
To refresh your memory on basic English grammar, adverbs are words that we use to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Compound adverbs are words that comprise of an adverb and another word (or sometimes two).
Both “nevertheless” and “nonetheless” are made up of three individual words: “never”, “the”, “less”, and “none”, “the”, “less”. As individual words they have a completely different meaning than they do as a whole term.
Besides both being compound adverbs, they’re also conjunctive adverbs that can connect independent clauses when paired with a semicolon and coordinating conjunction.
“Nevertheless” / “nonetheless”, used in sentences
| Examples: “nevertheless” used in sentences |
|---|
| There is little chance that we will succeed in changing the law. Nevertheless, it is important that we try. Our defeat was expected but it is disappointing nevertheless. The old system had its flaws, but nevertheless it was preferable to the new one. The path was steep and dangerous; nevertheless, they reached the summit by noon |
| Examples: “nonetheless” used in sentences |
|---|
| The book is too long but, nonetheless, informative and entertaining. The problems are not serious. Nonetheless, we shall need to tackle them soon. We were outnumbered; nonetheless, we managed to win the game |
Nevertheless, synonyms
- still
- though
- yet
- notwithstanding
- however
- withal
Nonetheless, synonyms
- still
- though
- yet
- notwithstanding
- however
- withal
Word origins
“Notwithstanding,” early 14c., neuer þe lesse; as one word from mid-14c., neuerþeles. The sense of never here is “not at all; none the,” as in unmerged expressions such as never the wiser, never the worse.
Read about other misused words
Sources
- Oxford Learner’s Dictionary. Accessed 13 April, 2024.
- Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/nevertheless. Accessed 13 April, 2024.
