Word Confusion: Nevertheless vs Nonetheless


–Jay S., from an email



11 replies
  1. Eric C
    Eric C says:

    I just found this blog and I’m looking forward to reading it.

    My opinion, I would never use nonetheless, just because it seems archaic and strange. Nevertheless I would save for grand pronouncements, or for an elevated tone. Like at the end of a diatribe, or something along those lines.

  2. TA
    TA says:

    Since I’m antithetical by nature I’ve always preferred “nonetheless” (it’s quantifiable). Archaic, formal, and/or grating I find the use of “nonetheless” nonetheless more enjoyable. :p

  3. CLMR
    CLMR says:

    Because “none” refers to a lack of objects, I use “nonetheless” when referring to objects. E.g. We can’t do A because we don’t have B. Nonetheless, we still have C. “Never” refers to time. I use “nevertheless” when the sentence has more to do with events in time. We can’t do A until we have B. Nevertheless, we will do C.
    That much attention to detail and formality, however, is rare for me… I usually use them interchangeably.

  4. Barry Morse
    Barry Morse says:

    I wondered if Strunk and White might have weighed in on the question. I found what I believe to be an indirect Strunk and White endorsement of “nevertheless” by way of Diana Hacker’s Language Debates:


    however at the beginning of a sentence

    Most usage experts think it’s perfectly fine to begin a sentence with the conjunctive adverb however (meaning “nevertheless”). But try telling that to those who grew up with Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style. Strunk and White state their advice unequivocally: “Avoid starting a sentence with however when the meaning is ‘nevertheless’” (48).

    Regarding Strunk and White eschewing the use of the word however at the beginning of a sentence, Hacker disagrees. But that disagreement would be immaterial to the original question. Nevertheless may have been used as early as the 13th century and nonetheless as early as the middle 19th century.

  5. bbg
    bbg says:

    How sad! I enjoy using words like nonetheless or nevertheless, I understand they may seem archaic to others because I think of them (and this is my very personal opinion, of course) as “enhancer of the taste” in my writing or conversation, e.g. using your old china for a regular meal, somehow it just tastes and looks better. Comments? 🙂


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