Nevertheless means “in spite of this” or “still”. It shows that what follows is true even though what was said before suggests otherwise. It is used in essays and business letters; in everyday speech, people more often say “still” or “even so”.
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Sentence. Nevertheless, + sentence; clause; nevertheless, + clause; subject + is/was + nevertheless + adjective/noun
- The project was expensive and took years to complete. Nevertheless, it greatly improved living conditions in the area.
- Nuclear power produces very little carbon dioxide; nevertheless, many people remain worried about its safety.
- The exam was hard, but it was nevertheless a fair test of what we had learnt.
What changed
First versionNevertheless the high price, the tickets sold out in a day.
RevisionDespite the high price, the tickets sold out in a day.
“Nevertheless” and “despite” are close in meaning, so “nevertheless” sometimes ends up where “despite” is needed. But you cannot name the obstacle right after “nevertheless”: the word refers back to something already said and starts a new idea. Before “the high price”, you need “despite”. If you want to keep “nevertheless”, split the sentence into two: The price was high. Nevertheless, the tickets sold out in a day.
“Nevertheless” and “however” are close, but “nevertheless” stresses more strongly that the result came despite what was said: The team was exhausted. Nevertheless, they won the final. “However” can simply show another side of the matter, with no sense of “despite”: The city is expensive. However, salaries there are higher.
Your turn
The hotel was far from the beach and the food was average. ___, we enjoyed every day of our holiday.
Show the answer
Nevertheless — A beach far away and average food could have spoiled the holiday, but they didn't. The result came despite what was said, so “Nevertheless” is right. “Therefore” introduces a consequence, and a good holiday does not follow from the hotel's drawbacks.
Write two sentences for an essay about a technology. In the first, name a drawback; in the second, start with Nevertheless and explain why people still use it.
Smartphones can distract students during lessons. Nevertheless, most people keep using them because they make it easy to find information and stay in touch.
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