When it comes to writing, choosing the right transitional words can make all the difference in the clarity and coherence of your message. Two commonly used words that serve this purpose are “conversely” and “however.” But which one should you use, and when? Let’s take a closer look.
It’s important to note that both “conversely” and “however” can be used to indicate a contrast between two ideas. However, there are some subtle differences in their meanings and usage.
“Conversely” is used to show a relationship of opposition or contrast between two statements or ideas. It implies that one idea is the opposite or reverse of the other. For example:
- John is an excellent salesman; conversely, his brother is a terrible one.
- The company’s profits have been steadily increasing over the past year; conversely, their expenses have been decreasing.
On the other hand, “however” is used to indicate a contrast or contradiction between two statements or ideas. It implies that one idea is unexpected or contrary to what was previously stated. For example:
- The weather forecast predicted rain all day; however, the sun is shining brightly.
- The restaurant had great reviews online; however, our dining experience was disappointing.
While both words can be used to show a contrast, it’s important to choose the right one based on the intended meaning of your sentence. Using “conversely” when you mean “however” (or vice versa) can lead to confusion or misinterpretation.
In the rest of this article, we’ll explore some common scenarios where “conversely” or “however” might be used, and provide examples of how to use each word correctly.
Define Conversely
Conversely is an adverb that indicates a relationship between two contrasting ideas or statements. It is used to introduce an opposite or contrasting point to the one previously mentioned or to show a different perspective on the same topic.
For example, “I thought the movie was going to be terrible, but conversely, it turned out to be one of the best I’ve seen in a while.”
Define However
However is an adverb that is used to introduce a contrasting or opposing statement to the one previously mentioned. It is used to indicate a shift in the direction of the argument or to introduce a new perspective on the same topic.
For example, “The weather was supposed to be sunny all day; however, it started to rain heavily in the afternoon.”
However can also be used to indicate a limitation or exception to a statement. For instance, “I love to travel; however, I am afraid of flying.”
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
When it comes to writing, choosing the right words can make all the difference. Two words that are often used interchangeably, but have distinct meanings, are “conversely” and “however.” Here’s how to use them correctly in a sentence.
How To Use “Conversely” In A Sentence
“Conversely” is used to show a contrast between two ideas or situations. It is often used to introduce a sentence that presents an opposite or contrasting point to the previous one. For example:
- The weather was beautiful yesterday. Conversely, today it’s raining heavily.
- The company’s profits have been increasing steadily. Conversely, their stock price has been decreasing.
Notice how “conversely” is used to show the opposite of what was previously stated. It is a useful word for transitioning between two contrasting ideas.
How To Use “However” In A Sentence
“However” is also used to show a contrast between two ideas or situations. However, it is used to introduce a sentence that presents a contrasting point to the previous one while also indicating a shift in direction or thought. For example:
- The weather was beautiful yesterday. However, the forecast predicts rain for the rest of the week.
- The company’s profits have been increasing steadily. However, they have also been facing increased competition.
Notice how “however” is used to show a contrast, but also to indicate a shift in focus or thought. It is a useful word for transitioning between two contrasting ideas while also indicating a change in direction.
When used correctly, “conversely” and “however” can help to add clarity and precision to your writing. By understanding their distinct meanings and how to use them properly in a sentence, you can elevate the quality of your writing and effectively convey your message.
More Examples Of Conversely & However Used In Sentences
In order to have a better understanding of the usage of conversely and however, let us take a look at some examples of how they are used in sentences.
Examples Of Using “Conversely” In A Sentence
- John loves to play football; conversely, his brother prefers basketball.
- She is a great cook; conversely, her husband can barely boil water.
- The company’s profits have increased this year; conversely, their expenses have decreased.
- Some people love the winter season; conversely, others prefer the summer months.
- Studying for long hours can be exhausting; conversely, taking breaks can help improve concentration.
- He is an excellent writer; conversely, he struggles with public speaking.
- Exercising regularly can improve your health; conversely, a sedentary lifestyle can lead to various health issues.
- She is very outgoing; conversely, her sister is quite introverted.
- Some people prefer to work in a team; conversely, others work better independently.
- Spending time outdoors can be refreshing; conversely, staying indoors for too long can be monotonous.
Examples Of Using “However” In A Sentence
- She is a great cook; however, her husband can barely boil water.
- The company’s profits have increased this year; however, they are still facing some financial challenges.
- John loves to play football; however, he cannot play due to an injury.
- Studying for long hours can be exhausting; however, it is necessary to achieve good grades.
- He is an excellent writer; however, he needs to work on his time management skills.
- Exercising regularly can improve your health; however, it is important to consult a doctor before starting any new workout routine.
- She is very outgoing; however, she sometimes struggles with social anxiety.
- Some people prefer to work in a team; however, working independently can help improve one’s problem-solving skills.
- Spending time outdoors can be refreshing; however, it is important to protect oneself from the harmful effects of the sun.
- He is a talented musician; however, he has not been able to find a record label to sign him.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to writing, it’s easy to fall into the trap of using words interchangeably, especially when those words seem to have similar meanings. One such pair of words that are often misused are conversely and however. Here are some common mistakes people make when using these words interchangeably, along with explanations of why they are incorrect:
Mistake #1: Using Conversely When You Mean However
Conversely and however are not interchangeable. Conversely means “in an opposite or reverse way,” while however means “nevertheless” or “on the other hand.” For example:
- Incorrect: She loves to dance; conversely, she hates to sing.
- Correct: She loves to dance; however, she hates to sing.
By using conversely in this context, you’re implying that dancing and singing are opposites, which may not be the case. However, on the other hand, acknowledges that the two activities are not necessarily related.
Mistake #2: Using However When You Mean Conversely
Conversely is used to show a contrast between two things, while however is used to introduce a contrasting point. For example:
- Incorrect: He loves to dance; however, he’s a terrible singer.
- Correct: He loves to dance; conversely, he’s a terrible singer.
In this case, using however doesn’t make sense because there’s no contrasting point being made. By using conversely, you’re showing that the two activities are opposites.
Tips To Avoid Mistakes
Now that you know the common mistakes to avoid when using conversely and however, here are some tips to help you use them correctly:
- Take the time to understand the meanings of both words.
- Read your sentences out loud to make sure they make sense.
- Use a thesaurus to find alternative words if you’re unsure.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to use conversely and however correctly and avoid common mistakes.
Context Matters
When it comes to choosing between the words conversely and however, context is key. Depending on the situation, one word may be a better fit than the other.
Conversely
The word conversely is often used to indicate a contrast between two ideas. It is typically used when presenting an opposite or contrasting idea to the one that was just presented. For example:
- John is very outgoing; conversely, his brother is quite shy.
- The company’s profits have increased this quarter; conversely, their expenses have decreased.
In these examples, conversely is used to introduce a contrasting idea that is the opposite of what was just presented.
However
The word however is also used to indicate a contrast, but it is typically used to introduce a limitation or exception to the idea that was just presented. For example:
- John is very outgoing; however, he can be quite reserved in certain situations.
- The company’s profits have increased this quarter; however, they are still facing significant challenges in the market.
In these examples, however is used to introduce a contrasting idea that puts a limitation on the idea that was just presented.
Overall, both conversely and however are used to introduce contrasting ideas, but the choice between the two can depend on the specific context in which they are used.
For example, if you are presenting two opposing ideas, conversely may be the better choice. If you are introducing a limitation or exception to an idea, however may be the more appropriate choice.
It’s important to consider the nuances of each word and the context in which they are used in order to effectively communicate your ideas.
Exceptions To The Rules
While conversely and however are typically used in specific ways, there are exceptions to the rules that should be noted. Here are some instances where the traditional rules may not apply:
1. Transitioning Between Two Negative Ideas
Typically, conversely is used to transition between two positive ideas, while however is used to transition between a positive and a negative idea. However, in some cases, it may be appropriate to use conversely to transition between two negative ideas. For example:
- “The company is not profitable. Conversely, it is not losing money either.”
2. Emphasizing Contrast
While however is typically used to show a contrast between two ideas, it can also be used to emphasize that contrast. In these cases, it may be appropriate to use however at the beginning of a sentence, even if it doesn’t follow a positive statement. For example:
- “However, it is important to note that not all customers were satisfied with the product.”
3. Using Conversely For Clarification
Sometimes, using conversely can help to clarify a point that was made earlier in the text. For example:
- “The company’s profits have increased by 10% this year. Conversely, expenses have decreased by 5%.”
By using conversely in this way, the writer is able to clarify that the increase in profits was not due to a decrease in expenses.
Practice Exercises
Improving one’s understanding and use of conversely and however requires practice. Here are some exercises to help you do just that:
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
Choose the appropriate word, conversely or however, to complete the following sentences:
- She loves chocolate; ______, her sister hates it.
- I don’t like coffee; ______, I love tea.
- The weather was bad; ______, we still had a great time.
- He’s a great athlete; ______, he’s not very smart.
- The movie was terrible; ______, the soundtrack was amazing.
Answer key:
- conversely
- however
- however
- conversely
- conversely
Exercise 2: Rewrite The Sentence
Rewrite the following sentences using either conversely or however:
- She loves chocolate. Her sister hates it.
- The weather was bad. We still had a great time.
- He’s a great athlete. He’s not very smart.
- The movie was terrible. The soundtrack was amazing.
- I don’t like coffee. I love tea.
Answer key:
- Conversely, her sister hates chocolate.
- However bad the weather was, we still had a great time.
- However great an athlete he is, he’s not very smart.
- The movie was terrible; conversely, the soundtrack was amazing.
- However much I don’t like coffee, I love tea.
By practicing with these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of conversely and however in sentences. Remember to pay attention to the context in which these words are used and choose the appropriate word accordingly.
Conclusion
After exploring the differences between conversely and however, it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and usage in the English language. Conversely is used to express a relationship of contrast or opposition between two ideas, while however is used to introduce a contrast or exception to a previously stated idea.
It is important to use these words correctly in order to effectively communicate your intended meaning. Using conversely when you actually mean however can lead to confusion and misunderstandings.
Remember to always consider the context in which you are using these words. Take note of the tone and purpose of your writing, and choose the word that best fits the situation.
Key Takeaways:
- Conversely and however are both conjunctions used to introduce a contrast or opposition.
- Conversely expresses a relationship of contrast or opposition between two ideas, while however introduces a contrast or exception to a previously stated idea.
- Using these words correctly is important for effective communication.
By continuing to learn about grammar and language use, you can improve your writing skills and become a more effective communicator. Keep practicing and experimenting with different writing techniques, and don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from others.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.