Alternatives to anyway can help you avoid repetition and express your ideas more naturally in conversation and writing.

Compare:

• Anyway, what were you saying?
• The weather was terrible, but we went out anyway.
• I do not want to buy it. Anyway, it is far too expensive.
• Anyway, I had better get back to work.

In each sentence, anyway performs a slightly different job. For that reason, we cannot replace it with the same expression every time.

In this lesson, you will learn natural alternatives to anyway for everyday conversation, formal writing and Cambridge B2 First and C1 Advanced tasks.

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What Does “Anyway” Mean?

The word anyway has several common uses. We use it to:

1. change the subject
2. return to the main subject
3. show that something happens despite a difficulty
4. add another reason or argument
5. dismiss an unimportant detail
6. end a conversation or discussion

Let us look at each use separately.

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1. Alternatives to Anyway for Changing the Subject

We often use anyway when we want to stop discussing one subject and introduce another.

• The film was not particularly interesting. Anyway, what are you doing this weekend?
• I could complain about the weather all day. Anyway, how is your new job?

Anyhow

Anyhow is very close in meaning to anyway and is common in informal conversation.

• Anyhow, what shall we do next?
• The journey was exhausting. Anyhow, we arrived safely.

Moving On

Use moving on when you want to leave one subject and introduce the next.

• Moving on, let us discuss next month’s budget.
• Moving on to the next question, how should the project be funded?

This expression is especially useful in meetings, lessons and presentations.

To Change the Subject

This phrase makes the change of subject very clear.

• To change the subject, have you booked your holiday yet?

It is natural in conversation but can sound slightly direct.

On Another Subject

Use on another subject to introduce a different topic.

• On another subject, have you spoken to Daniel recently?

This expression is more neutral and slightly more formal than anyway.

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2. Alternatives to Anyway for Returning to the Main Subject

We also use anyway after a digression when we want to return to the original point.

• Anyway, as I was saying, we need to make a decision today.
• Anyway, where were we?

Useful alternatives include:

• as I was saying
• where was I?
• to return to my point
• getting back to the subject
• back to what we were discussing
• to get back on track

As I Was Saying

Use as I was saying when you were interrupted or moved away from your original point.

• As I was saying, the company needs a clearer strategy.

To Return to My Point

This is suitable for more formal discussions and presentations.

• To return to my point, the proposal would be expensive to implement.

Getting Back to the Subject

This is common in both meetings and ordinary conversation.

• Getting back to the subject, when should we begin?

To Get Back on Track

Use this when a conversation, lesson or project has moved away from its main purpose.

• Let us get back on track and discuss the schedule.

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3. Alternatives to Anyway for Showing Contrast

We often place anyway at the end of a sentence to mean that something happens despite a problem, objection or difficulty.

• It was raining, but we went for a walk anyway.

In this use, good alternatives include:

• nevertheless
• nonetheless
• even so
• still
• all the same
• regardless
• despite that
• in spite of that

Nevertheless

Nevertheless means despite what has just been mentioned. It is formal and useful in essays, reports and articles.

• The task was extremely demanding. Nevertheless, the team completed it on time.

Nonetheless

Nonetheless has almost the same meaning as nevertheless.

• The journey was long and tiring. Nonetheless, we enjoyed it.

Both nevertheless and nonetheless are suitable for formal English.

Even So

Even so introduces a surprising result despite the previous statement.

• The weather forecast was poor. Even so, we decided to go hiking.

It is less formal than nevertheless, but it is still suitable for many writing tasks.

Still

Still can mean despite that.

• The salary is not particularly high. Still, the job offers valuable experience.

Be careful: still has several other meanings, including continuing until now.

• She is still waiting for an answer.

All the Same

All the same means despite what has been said.

• I did not agree with his decision, but I supported him all the same.

It is natural in conversation and informal writing.

Regardless

Regardless means that a decision or action will not be affected by the circumstances.

• It may rain, but we are going regardless.

We also use regardless of + noun:

• We will continue regardless of the weather.

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4. Alternatives to Anyway for Adding Another Reason

Sometimes anyway introduces an additional reason supporting what we have already said.

• I do not want to go out. Anyway, it is far too late.

Useful alternatives include:

• besides
• in any case
• after all
• on top of that
• what is more
• moreover
• furthermore

These expressions are not interchangeable in every sentence, so pay attention to their tone and purpose.

Besides

Use besides to introduce another reason, often one that makes the decision seem obvious.

• There is no need to hurry. Besides, the shop does not open until ten.

Besides is very common in conversation.

In Any Case

In any case can mean whatever the circumstances or regardless of what has just been said.

• I may not finish today. In any case, I will send you what I have completed.

It is neutral and works well in both speech and writing.

At Any Rate

At any rate is similar to in any case. It can be used to move past uncertainty and state what is certain or important.

• The plan may not be perfect. At any rate, it is worth considering.

It is slightly more formal and less common in casual conversation than anyway.

On Top of That

Use on top of that to add another, often stronger, point.

• The room was small, and on top of that, it was extremely noisy.

It is common in spoken and informal written English.

Moreover and Furthermore

Moreover and furthermore introduce additional supporting points in formal writing.

• The proposal is expensive. Moreover, it would take several years to implement.

These words are useful in essays and reports, but they are not natural replacements for anyway when changing the subject.

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5. Dismissing an Unimportant Detail

We sometimes use anyway to show that a detail is not important or does not change the situation.

• I cannot remember his exact name, but it does not matter anyway.

Possible alternatives include:

• in any case
• either way
• whatever the case
• be that as it may
• regardless
• it does not matter

Either Way

Use either way when there are two possible situations but the result remains the same.

• He may accept or refuse. Either way, we need a second plan.

Whatever the Case

This means regardless of which explanation or situation is correct.

• He may have forgotten or simply changed his mind. Whatever the case, we cannot wait any longer.

Be That as It May

Be that as it may acknowledges a point before moving to a contrasting or more important one.

• The work may be difficult. Be that as it may, it still needs to be completed.

This expression is formal and can sound rather old-fashioned in everyday conversation. It is more likely to appear in formal discussion, journalism or literature.

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6. Ending a Conversation

We frequently use anyway when we want to signal that a conversation is ending.

• Anyway, I had better get going.

Natural alternatives include:

• well
• in any case
• I had better be going
• I should let you go
• I will not keep you any longer
• before I go

Well

Well is one of the most natural ways to begin ending a conversation.

• Well, I had better get home.

The tone of voice is important. A pause before well often signals that the speaker is preparing to leave.

I Had Better Be Going

This is a polite and natural way to end a visit or conversation.

• I had better be going. It is getting late.

I Will Not Keep You Any Longer

This is polite and slightly more formal.

• I will not keep you any longer. Thank you for your help.

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“Anyways” or “Anyway”?

You may hear anyways, particularly in informal North American English.

• Anyways, what are you doing tonight?

However, anyway is the standard form and is the safer choice in:

• formal writing
• academic work
• business communication
• Cambridge exams
• carefully edited English

Use: Anyway, let us continue.

Avoid in formal writing: Anyways, let us continue.

In informal conversation, anyways is widely understood, but some speakers consider it non-standard.

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“Anyroad”

Anyroad is an informal regional British alternative to anyway or anyhow.

• Anyroad, what happened next?

You may hear it in parts of northern England and the Midlands. It can add local colour to dialogue, but English learners do not need to use it themselves.

For international communication, anyway or anyhow is a safer choice.

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Alternatives That are not Always Interchangeable

Many linking expressions are sometimes presented as alternatives to anyway, but they perform different grammatical jobs.

Although and Even Though

Although and even though introduce a dependent clause.

• Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
• Even though she was tired, she continued working.

We cannot normally place them at the end in the same way as anyway.

Correct:

• It was raining, but we went for a walk anyway.
• Although it was raining, we went for a walk.

Incorrect: It was raining. Although, we went for a walk.

Despite and In Spite of

Despite and in spite of are followed by a noun, pronoun or -ing form.

• Despite the rain, we went for a walk.
• In spite of feeling tired, she continued working.

Compare:

• The weather was terrible, but we went out anyway.
• Despite the terrible weather, we went out.

However

However introduces a contrast, but it does not replace anyway when changing the subject or ending a conversation.

Correct: The plan is expensive. However, it may be effective.

Not equivalent:

• Anyway, how was your weekend?
• However, how was your weekend?

The second sentence does not work because there is no contrast.

On the Other Hand

On the other hand introduces an opposing point or another side of an argument.

• Working from home is convenient. On the other hand, it can feel isolating.

It is not a general replacement for anyway.

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Quick Comparison Chart

changing the subject	anyhow, moving on, on another subject	Moving on, what should we do next?
returning to the subject	as I was saying, getting back to the point	As I was saying, we need more time.
showing contrast	nevertheless, even so, still, all the same	It was risky. Even so, they continued.
acting despite difficulty	regardless, all the same, in spite of that	It was raining, but we went regardless.
adding another reason	besides, in any case, on top of that	I am tired. Besides, it is getting late.
dismissing a detail	either way, whatever the case, in any case	Either way, we need to decide today.
ending a conversation	well, I had better go, I should let you go	Well, I had better get home.

Related posts:

• Linking Words and Phrases 
• Formal Language in English 
• How to Use Discourse Markers 
• Linking Words for Contrasting Ideas 
• B2 First Writing 
• C1 Advanced Writing 
• Phrases for Changing the Subject in English

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