Practice
Nevertheless or never the less: which spelling is correct?
The bus was late. Nevertheless, Maya arrived before the meeting began. The second sentence gives a result that contrasts with the delay.
Write nevertheless as one word when you mean despite that or however, and place it where its contrast is clear.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
nevertheless /ˌnev.ə.ðəˈles/
The short answer
Write nevertheless as one word. It introduces a contrast: something is true, but another result still happens. Do not split the word into never the less when you mean despite that or however.
The instructions were long. Nevertheless, the team finished the task on time.
Why it works: Nevertheless connects the long instructions with the contrasting result of finishing on time.
5 more examples
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The road was closed. Nevertheless, we reached the hotel by another route.
The road closure made the journey harder, but the travelers still reached the hotel.
Not this:The road was closed,
sowe returned home. What changes: So gives the expected result of the closure. Nevertheless would introduce a result that happened despite the closure. -
The report had a few errors. Nevertheless, it explained the main problem clearly.
The errors are real, but the report still has a useful strength.
Not this:The report had a few errors,
butit explained the main problem clearly. What changes: But can join the two clauses in one sentence. Nevertheless can introduce the second sentence more formally. -
The restaurant was busy; we nevertheless found a table near the window.
Here nevertheless appears after the subject and before the verb found.
Not this:The restaurant was busy,
andwe waited for a table near the window. What changes: And adds another event without showing that it happened despite the first fact. -
I had not practiced much. I nevertheless answered the first question correctly.
The correct answer is unexpected after the limited practice.
Not this:I had not practiced much,
soI asked for more time. What changes: So introduces a result that follows naturally from limited practice. -
The apartment is small. Nevertheless, it has enough room for one person.
The small size remains true, but it does not prevent the apartment from being suitable for one person.
Not this:The apartment is small
becauseit has only one bedroom. What changes: Because gives a reason. Nevertheless gives a contrast, not a reason.
Read the full guide
Start by finding the two ideas in the sentence. The first idea gives a difficulty, limit, or unexpected fact. Nevertheless introduces the result that still follows. Because it is one adverb, it is written as one word.
Write the connector as one word
Use nevertheless as one word. It is a single adverb that links a fact with a contrasting result. Splitting it into never the less changes a spelling decision into three separate words and does not give the connector you need.
The train was delayed. Nevertheless, we arrived before noon.
The delay is the first fact. Arriving before noon is the result that still happened.
Choose the spelling: The forecast was poor. ___, the game continued.
Use nevertheless: The forecast was poor. Nevertheless, the game continued.
Find the contrast before you choose
Look for two ideas that do not lead to the expected result. The first idea may describe a problem, a limit, or an unfavorable condition. The second idea says what happened anyway. Nevertheless introduces that second idea.
The instructions were difficult. Nevertheless, Sam completed the form without help.
Difficult instructions might make completion less likely, yet Sam completed the form.
Does nevertheless fit when the second sentence gives a result that happened despite the first fact?
Yes. Nevertheless signals that the second result still happened despite the first fact.
Place it where the reader can see the link
At the beginning of a new sentence, nevertheless clearly points back to the previous sentence. In this position, follow it with a comma. It can also appear inside a sentence, but use that position only when the sentence still reads clearly.
The shop had already closed. Nevertheless, we found the item online.
The period ends the first statement. The comma after nevertheless separates the connector from the new statement.
Add the connector: The room was small. ___, everyone could sit comfortably.
Write Nevertheless, at the start of the second sentence: The room was small. Nevertheless, everyone could sit comfortably.
Choose but when a simpler link is enough
But and nevertheless can both show contrast, but they do not always sit in the same place. But usually joins parts of one sentence. Nevertheless often begins a new sentence or appears after the subject. Choose the form that gives your sentence a natural shape.
The café was full, but we found two seats.
But joins the full café and the available seats in one sentence.
Choose the connector for a new sentence: The café was full. ___, we found two seats.
Use Nevertheless, because it begins the new sentence and introduces the unexpected result.
Check the meaning during proofreading
When you find never the less in a draft, ask what you mean. If you mean despite that, replace the spaced phrase with nevertheless. Then read the two ideas again. The second idea should be true even after the first fact.
The price was high. Nevertheless, we chose the safer option.
The high price is a reason to hesitate, but choosing the safer option still happened.
Proofread the connector: The price was high. Never the less, we chose the safer option.
Write Nevertheless, as one word: The price was high. Nevertheless, we chose the safer option.
Use the two-part check
Before you finish, check two things. First, does the second statement contrast with a fact you have already given? Second, have you written nevertheless as one word? Those checks prevent the common spacing error.
The files were large. Nevertheless, the upload finished quickly.
Large files may slow an upload, so a quick finish creates the contrast.
Which spelling fits a contrast that means despite that?
Use nevertheless as one word.
Before you go
Remember this
Write nevertheless as one word when you mean despite that or however. First state the fact, difficulty, or limit. Then use nevertheless to introduce the result that still happens. Do not use never the less as a spaced spelling of this connector.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Nevertheless or never the less: which spelling is correct?"
Is nevertheless one word?
Yes. Write nevertheless as one word when it means despite that, even so, or however. Never the less is not the standard spelling for this connector.
The road was closed. Nevertheless, we reached the hotel by another route.
Can nevertheless begin a sentence?
Yes. It often begins a new sentence after a sentence that states a difficulty, limit, or fact. A comma normally follows nevertheless in that position: The road was closed. Nevertheless, we arrived on time.
The road was closed, so we returned home.
What does nevertheless mean?
Nevertheless means despite that or in spite of that. It introduces a statement that remains true after the earlier fact: The weather was cold. Nevertheless, they went for a walk.
The report had a few errors. Nevertheless, it explained the main problem clearly.
Is nevertheless the same as but?
Both words can show contrast, but their sentence positions differ. But usually joins clauses in one sentence. Nevertheless often begins a new sentence or appears after the subject, and it can sound more formal.
The report had a few errors, but it explained the main problem clearly.
How can I check the spelling before I submit writing?
Find the phrase that means despite that. If that is the meaning, write nevertheless as one word. Then check that the next statement gives a result that still happens despite the fact stated before it.
The restaurant was busy; we nevertheless found a table near the window.