however,no matter how
However和no matter how同义,都表示“无论如何”的意思,又都引导让步状语从句,但它们的修辞意味和使用场合有所不同。
However是比较正式的用语,大都用于书面语,口语中较少使用;no matter how则比较口语化,它的语势比however重,故常用在强调的场合。请看下面的例句:
The task must be done,however arduous it may be.
无论多么艰难,这个任务一定要完成。
(试比较一般句:The task must be done though it is arduous.)
I’ll take your words,no matter how harsh they may be.
无论语气多么难听,我还是听你的话的。
(试比较一般句:Although your words are harsh,I’ll take them.)
However有时可表达“然而”、“可是”之意,出现于句中或句尾。例:
They said that it was so;they were mistaken,however.
他们说事情就是如此,可是他们错了。
与之类似区别的词语很多,例如whatever/no matter what、whenever/no matter when、wherever/no matter where、whichever/no matter which、whoever/no matter who.