how...soever
Definition
- Adverb:
- To whatever extent or degree: "how...soever" is an archaic or formal intensifier used to emphasize the manner, degree, or way in which something occurs, often meaning "no matter how" or "in whatever manner."
Usage Examples
- Adverb:
- How many soever they be, we will face them. (No matter how many there are, we will confront them.)
- Howsoever he comes, we will welcome him. (In whatever manner he arrives, we will receive him.)
Advanced Usage
- "how...soever" as a split phrase: The word "soever" is often attached to an interrogative adverb like "how" to form a compound expression meaning "no matter how" or "to whatever degree." The split form ("how...soever") places "soever" after the verb or clause for emphasis.
- How great soever his power, he cannot change the past. (No matter how great his power is, he cannot alter history.)
- How wise soever she may be, she still makes mistakes. (To whatever degree of wisdom she possesses, she still errs.)
Variants and Related Words
- Howsoever (adverb, single word form): an alternative, more common spelling of "how...soever," meaning "to whatever extent."
- Howsoever hard he tried, he could not succeed. (No matter how hard he tried, he could not succeed.)
- Soever (suffix): a component added to words like "how," "what," "where," and "when" to form expressions meaning "any" or "ever."
- Whosoever (whoever), whatsoever (whatever), wheresoever (wherever).
Synonyms
- No matter how: used to indicate that the following statement is true regardless of the manner or degree.
- No matter how he comes, we will be ready. (Regardless of his arrival method, we are prepared.)
- To whatever extent: emphasizing the unlimited degree of a condition.
- To whatever extent he tries, he will fail. (No amount of effort will lead to success.)
Related Idioms
- Howsoever it may be: an archaic phrase meaning "whatever the case may be" or "in any event."
- Howsoever it may be, we must proceed. (Whatever the circumstances, we must continue.)