Nonetheless or nevertheless?

What do “nonetheless” and “nevertheless” mean?

Nonetheless and nevertheless are two compound adverbs, meaning that they’re formed from multiple words and then used to modify verbs or other adverbs. As you can guess, these words are the results of combining the phrases “none the less” and “never the less.”

Both words are synonyms, and they both mean “in spite of.” They’re used to contrast a previous statement within a sentence: reversing the writer’s previous sentiment to showcase an opinion, a change of fact, or an unexpected twist.

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However, “nonetheless” is commonly believed to refer to measurable contexts, while “nevertheless” should be reserved for time-related contexts. These contexts are related to the first word that forms these compound words: “none” versus “never” makes this distinction clearer.

“Never” means “at no time” or “not ever,” so the word “nevertheless” refers to modifying existing facts or times. Consider the following examples:

• It was going to rain all afternoon. Nevertheless, the match was still on.
• Rachel frequently works overtime: nevertheless, she still feels like she needs more money.

The power of “nevertheless” lies in its ability to maintain the flow of a conversation or argument while acknowledging an opposing point. It acts as a bridge between conflicting ideas, adding depth and nuance to your statements.

“None” refers to amounts, such as numerical measurements; in this case, it means zero. That’s why this word is commonly referred to as a stark contrast between what has already been established in the first part of a sentence and the sentiment expressed in the part after “nonetheless.” It’s usually used for what is happening or what has been said or expressed, such as in the following examples:

• I usually don’t like horror movies; nonetheless, I really enjoyed that one.
• Michael felt terrible halfway through his first marathon. Nonetheless, he pressed on.

The popularity between “nonetheless” and “nevertheless”

“Nevertheless” is the more popular word in American English writing and speech. The differences between these two words are so subtle that many dictionaries list them as synonyms. However, the differences mentioned above can impact your writing if you’re working on a long project, and these words might come up often. When faced with a pair of synonyms, using the same word presents consistency and therefore accuracy in writing.

Furthermore, when it comes to choosing between “nevertheless” and “nonetheless” the decision primarily hinges on your writing style and the desired tone. The former word tends to lean toward a formal tone, suitable for professional or academic writing, while the latter leans toward a more informal or conversational style, fitting for everyday conversations or informal texts.

If you’re looking for more ways to write precisely, check out the differences between “into” and “in to,” how to use “would have” or “would of,” or how to avoid grammatical errors like mixed construction.