ENGLISH
REFERENCE

no matter how

fixed phr..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford

fixed phr.. you use this to say that something is true or will happen even if a situation is very difficult or extreme.

fixed phr.. a concessive conjunctional phrase used to introduce a subordinate clause expressing that a degree or manner does not affect the main clause's outcome.


SIMPLE

No matter how hard I try, I cannot remember his name.

CONTEXTUAL

No matter how much it costs, we need to fix the roof before winter starts.

COMPLEX

The athlete remained determined to finish the race, no matter how exhausted he felt after the final steep climb.

Usage

always followed by an adjective or an adverb before the subject and verb.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'however' (e.g., 'however hard I try'); 'no matter how' is often more emphatic in spoken English.

Pitfall

No matter how he is tired, he works.No matter how tired he is, he works.the adjective or adverb must come immediately after 'how' and before the subject.

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