95961
I'm studying とはいうものの when used after a full stop in this way.

"......。とはいうものの、......。"

According to the very few examples I could find about this grammar pattern
used in this way (after a full stop, not after a clause), it seems to mean
"however". However, I don't know very well the nuances of it as well as when I
can use it and when not.

Would "___。とはいうものの" be always interchangeable with other conjunctions that
also mean "however" like しかし for example? If not, could you please give me an
example where I can see the difference in usage?
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-08-22T17:36:39.510
95956
2022-08-23T00:50:41.167
47013
question
grammar word-choice words word-usage
Nuances when using とはいうものの
I think
[とはいうものの](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/word/%E3%81%A8%E3%81%AF%E8%A8%80%E3%81%86%E3%82%82%E3%81%AE%E3%81%AE/)
is close to English _that said_ (or maybe just sometimes). It is usually
followed by something that adds reservations to the antecedent or things that
are unexpected.

しかし is more simple _but_.

* * *

Examples:

  * 4月だ。しかしまだ寒い。It is April, but it is still cold.
  * 4月だ。とはいうもののまだ寒い。

Both are fine (probably the latter sounds more natural).

  * 彼は働き者だ。しかし彼の弟は怠け者だ。He is hard-working, but his brother is lazy.

Here しかし indicates the contrast between him and his brother, and とはいうものの
cannot be used.

  * 駅は近い。とはいうものの歩いて30分はかかる。 The station is near. Yet it is a 30 minute walk.

Here しかし may be not entirely impossible, but sounds much less natural. It
gives a reservation to the _near_. (The first sentence in this paragraph may
translate to: とはいうものの、ここで「しかし」が使えないわけではない)
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-08-23T00:50:41.167
95961
2022-08-23T00:50:41.167
45489
95956
answer