jedoch

Jedoch is a German conjunctive adverb that expresses contrast or qualification and roughly translates to "however," "nevertheless," or "yet." It is used to introduce a counterpoint to a preceding statement.

Usage and function: Jedoch is common in formal and written German and is less frequent in everyday speech, where speakers may opt for aber or doch. When connecting two independent clauses, it is typically preceded by a semicolon or a period: Der Bericht war vollständig; jedoch fehlten einige Quellen. It can also start a new sentence: Jedoch fehlten einige Quellen. In mid-sentence usage, a comma is usually placed before it: Der Bericht war vollständig, jedoch fehlten einige Quellen. Compared with aber or doch, jedoch conveys a stronger, more formal contrast.

Etymology and history: The term is native to the German language and has roots in older Germanic usage. It developed into a fixed adverbial particle in standard German and remains characteristic of formal or written style.

Related usage: Jedoch belongs to a family of contrastive connectors that also includes dennoch, trotzdem, allerdings and dennoch. These terms offer nuanced options for expressing counterpoint, with varying degrees of formality and emphasis.

Examples and tone: In scholarly or journalistic writing, jedoch helps present a disciplined balance between statements. Its presence typically signals formal register and careful argumentation, distinguishing it from more conversational connectors.

See also: dennoch, trotzdem, allerdings, aber, doch.