hoe ... ook al
However Much: Hoe ... Ook Al
Hoe + adjective + subject + ook al + verb at the end: Hoe hard hy ook al probeer, hy kan nie wen nie. (However hard he tries, he can't win.)
How It Works
1. Building the clause. Put the adjective or adverb straight after hoe, then the subject, then ook al, and the verb last:
- Hy probeer hard. → Hoe hard hy ook al probeer, ... (However hard he tries, ...)
- Ek is moeg. → Hoe moeg ek ook al is, ... (However tired I am, ...)
With more than one verb, they gather at the end: Hoe lank ons ook al gewag het, ... (see verbs together at the end).
2. The main clause. After this kind of clause, the main clause very often keeps its normal order, subject first: Hoe hard hy ook al probeer, hy kan nie wen nie. Putting the verb first, as after other fronted subordinate clauses, is also correct: Hoe vinnig sy ook al hardloop, kan sy die bus nie haal nie.
3. Al can be left out. Hoe ... ook without al means the same, but ook al is more common in everyday use.
4. Related patterns. The same ook al makes wat ook al (whatever) and wie ook al (whoever); see whoever and whatever. For a simple even though, see al + verb first.
Examples (5)
- Hoe hard hy ook al probeer, hy kan nie wen nie.
However hard he tries, he can't win.
Word by Word: How hard he also already tries, he can not win not.
- Hoe moeg ek ook al is, ek lees elke aand 'n bietjie.
However tired I am, I read a little every evening.
Word by Word: How tired I also already am, I read every evening a bit.
- Hoe lank ons ook al gewag het, die bus het nie gekom nie.
However long we waited, the bus didn't come.
Word by Word: How long we also already waited have, the bus has not come not.
Two verbs gather at the end of the hoe clause.
- Hoe duur dit ook al is, ek wil dit hê.
However expensive it is, I want it.
Word by Word: How expensive it also already is, I want it have.
- Hoe vinnig sy ook al hardloop, kan sy die bus nie haal nie.
However fast she runs, she can't catch the bus.
Word by Word: How fast she also already runs, can she the bus not catch not.
Here the main clause puts its verb first, which is also correct.
Common Mistakes
Putting the verb straight after the adjective, as in a question.
Hoe hard probeer hy ook al, hy kan nie wen nie.Hoe hard hy ook al probeer, hy kan nie wen nie.The hoe clause is a subordinate clause, so the subject follows the adjective and the verb goes to the end.
Separating the adjective from hoe, following English however.
Hoe ook al hard hy probeer, hy kan nie wen nie.Hoe hard hy ook al probeer, hy kan nie wen nie.The adjective must stay right after hoe. Ook al comes after the subject.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Hoe ... ook al means however much, built like wie ... ook al.
Related Patterns
- al + Verb FirstEven Though: Al + Verb First
Another way to say even though or even if.
Level 5 - hoewel/alhoewelAlthough
The plain conjunction for although.
Level 3 - hoe/hoeveelHow and How Much
The question word hoe that this pattern starts from.
Level 1 - Starting With a Subordinate Clause
The usual rule for a fronted clause, which this pattern may or may not follow.
Level 3 - hoe ... hoeThe More ..., The More
Another pattern built on hoe + adjective: the more ..., the more.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice hoe ... ook al in Bubblegum
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