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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that everyone has started saying 'however' instead of 'but'?

30 replies

xmasadsboohiss · 27/03/2014 21:52

what's with that????

OP posts:
wheretoyougonow · 27/03/2014 21:54

As a child I was told 'no more buts!' they said nothing about however Wink

withextradinosaurs · 27/03/2014 21:55

They've been to the same training course as me, when someone said "everything before the but is bullshit."

Original poster
xmasadsboohiss · 27/03/2014 21:57

so everything after the however is horse shit! i just don't get it.

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 27/03/2014 21:59

Apparently it's more " positive" language - according to the course I went on ages ago!!

Original poster
xmasadsboohiss · 27/03/2014 22:03

ah that's interesting - a bit like calling problems 'opportunities'. i still prefer 'problems' and 'but'. negative me

OP posts:
DomesticDisgrace · 27/03/2014 22:03

Oh my God this is so true!!

SwedishEdith · 27/03/2014 22:06

Something can't help you any more either, it has to "inform your thinking"

TwittyMcTwitterson · 27/03/2014 22:09

I just say it because it sounds posher and I feel more educated. However, that could just be me. Wink

RevoltingPeasant · 27/03/2014 22:15

"HOWEVER" IS NOT A CONJUNCTION AND USING IT AS THOUGH IT WERE GIVES YOU RUN-ON SENTENCES WHICH ARE GRAMMATICALLY INCORRECT.

I may have been marking essays recently. This may annoy me slightly.

Blush
Buckteethjeff · 27/03/2014 22:17

My boss does it all the time - to even just link sentences up. One big massive sentence connected by random howevers.

Bowlersarm · 27/03/2014 22:18

Language evolves, it doesn't stand still. I use both, I think.

Original poster
xmasadsboohiss · 27/03/2014 22:25

thanks 'revolting' i knew it sounded wrong - good to have an expert to confirm my prejudices! it sounds to me like someone is reading an essay out loud!

OP posts:
Joysmum · 27/03/2014 23:42

I tend to use 'however' when writing and tend to say but when talking.

Nennypops · 28/03/2014 00:27

Language evolves, it doesn't stand still. I use both, I think.

But it's probably the world's most pointless evolution. Why write something with seven letters when you could use three? Why say something with three syllables when you could use one?

CheesyBadger · 28/03/2014 00:34

Oh god I think I am one of these people... Super self conscious posts from now on!

horsetowater · 28/03/2014 00:34

So when do you use however? It used to be quite formal and relatively rare to use it but/however, now it seems that anyone who has a point they really want to get across in a slightly bossy way, says it.

TillyTellTale · 28/03/2014 00:40

I've been using 'however' for near on twenty years, though. Will I have to ramp up my use of 'nevertheless' instead?

Joysmum · 28/03/2014 00:48

I agree, 'however',to me, is more formal, which is why I tend to use it only when writing.

Toadinthehole · 28/03/2014 06:18

I use it all the time, and always have, normally to provide structure in essays.

Simple example: "The 281 will arrive first. However, the 33 is quicker".

Err.. yeah - I suppose I'd not say that - it sounds a bit stoopid.

katese11 · 28/03/2014 07:05

That's fine toad! I think the problem is when you use it mid sentence e.g. The house is in need of some repair however it's a great opportunity ( I always imagine it's estate agents that misuse it) That's not discounting its other use, which I believe is grammatical e.g. "I'll get the work done however I can"

katese11 · 28/03/2014 07:05

That's fine toad! I think the problem is when you use it mid sentence e.g. The house is in need of some repair however it's a great opportunity ( I always imagine it's estate agents that misuse it) That's not discounting its other use, which I believe is grammatical e.g. "I'll get the work done however I can"

Original poster
xmasadsboohiss · 30/03/2014 21:52

Why write something with seven letters when you could use three? Why say something with three syllables when you could use one?

Exactly! I'm not British but I'm a big fan of plain English.

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 30/03/2014 21:59

DH uses it all the time and it drives me potty. I am a language teacher so tend to try and use simple language as much as possible especially when speaking to non native speakers.

He once answered the phone to DS' (German) kindergarten by saying "Ah, no, unfortunately Bertie isn't here, however I am in fact DS' legal guardian, if I can be of any assistance?" then was totally bemused when they said "Uh... is Bertie there??" Told him later he should have just said "No, but I am his father" and they would have been fine Confused he ended up texting me to ask me to call them.

He also uses in fact randomly, as referenced in this conversation.

mrsjay · 30/03/2014 22:01

However is a positive like you are saying it is OK But i think But is ok too

Megrim · 30/03/2014 22:05

I was told to use "and" instead of "but" or "however" to make a statement more positive.

For instance, "that was a good report, and it would be even better if you added the following to your conclusion."