The use of the expression “but nevertheless” is correct according to the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) because it is considered emphatic. However, it is common for some people to object to its use as redundant, since the conjunction “more” and the adverbial phrase “however” may, depending on the context, function as synonyms for “but”. If both expressions mean the same thing, it is normal to think that combining them is repetitive, but the RAE accepts their use when we want to emphasize their meaning.
On this occasion, at OneHOWTO we will solve the doubts around this locution and we will tell you if it is correct to say “but nevertheless”, as well as other similar expressions such as “without in exchange”, “more without in exchange” or “more in exchange”. Read on and clear your doubts once and for all!
Although for many it may not seem like it, the expression “but nevertheless” is correct, as it is accepted by the RAE. However, the RAE admits its use only in cases in which it seeks to emphasize its adversative role, such as: “They did not believe me, but nevertheless I told the truth” or “Sometimes I wanted to leave, but nevertheless I am still there ». In both cases, the aim is to give more importance and emphasis to the second half of the sentence.
This use of “but however” is, however, more common in the spoken language, as it is considered redundant and unnecessary in most cases. Both “more” and “however” mean practically the same thing, so stylistically speaking, its use in language is not recommended.
Let’s analyze the expression “but nevertheless” grammatically:
- «More», without an accent, is an adversative conjunction, which means that it is used to oppose two or more concepts. A good example would be: “it’s winter, but it’s hot.”
- For its part, “however” is an adverbial phrase. Locutions are expressions of two or more words that, together, obtain a unique meaning. Like “instead”, “on the contrary”, “now well” and “however”, the phrase “however” is counter-argumentative, so it can substitute conjunctions such as “but” or “more”.
In many cases, both “however” and “more” serve the same function in the sentence, which is why saying “but however” is considered redundant. However, for the same reason, together they can acquire an emphasizing function.
There are clearer examples of this type of redundancy, which are not accepted by the RAE. In this way, if we return to the previous phrase “it’s winter, but it’s hot”, and we substitute the adversative conjunction for another, the meaning remains practically the same:
- “It’s winter, but it’s hot.”
- “It is winter, however, it is hot.”
But, if we add a second adversative conjunction to these same sentences, the redundancy is clear:
- “It’s winter, but it’s hot.”
There are even more serious redundancies. In some cases, up to three consecutive equivalent forms are used: a double adversative conjunction with an adverbial phrase. A clear example is the expression “more without instead”. The error comes from thinking that the “without” of “however” is the opposite of “more” (conjunction), when it is really integrated into the locution, without independent meaning. To compound the confusion, they also sound similar (“however”, “without instead”). Phonological similarity leads to more serious grammatical redundancy.
“But nevertheless”: a pleonasm
“But however” and “but instead” are accepted expressions, but considered pleonasms. We explain why:
Pleonasm is a disused rhetorical figure in which redundant words are used in a single sentence that add nothing to the meaning of the sentence. In general, pleonasms are used in literature to give more beauty or greater expressiveness and intensity to a sentence. Some pleonasms are: go out! Go in! Go up! Go down! Etc. The expressions “but nevertheless” and “but instead” are clear examples of pleonasm.
The short answer is that, according to the RAE, yes you can. Anyway, “but nevertheless” is another redundancy case similar to that of “more nevertheless”. Although it can be said, its use is often considered inelegant, as stated by organizations such as the Fundéu[1].
Adverbial conjunctions have always been used more in spoken language, because they are more direct, while adverbial phrases were preferably used in written language as a rhetorical figure. Over time, the two have been interchanged, their use has become widespread and, in the end, they have been mixed as a non-cultured way of emphasizing.
If you have more questions like these, we invite you to visit our education section in oneHOWTO, where we reveal some of the most common doubts about the language, such as:
