Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - anyway

or anyhow Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English. 1. You use anyway or anyhow to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous point. I’m certain David’s told you his business troubles. Anyway, it’s no secret that he owes money... Mother certainly won’t let him stay with her and anyhow he wouldn’t. = besides ADV: ADV with cl 2. You use anyway or anyhow to suggest that a statement is true or relevant in spite of other things that have been said. I don’t know why I settled on Aberdeen, but anyway I did... I wasn’t qualified to apply for the job really but I got it anyhow. ADV: ADV with cl 3. You use anyway or anyhow to correct or modify a statement, for example to limit it to what you definitely know to be true. Mary Ann doesn’t want to have children. Not right now, anyway. ADV: cl/group ADV 4. You use anyway or anyhow to indicate that you are asking what the real situation is or what the real reason for something is. What do you want from me, anyway?... Where the hell was Bud, anyhow? ADV: cl ADV 5. You use anyway or anyhow to indicate that you are missing out some details in a story and are passing on to the next main point or event. I was told to go to Reading for this interview. It was a very amusing affair. Anyhow, I got the job. = well ADV: ADV with cl 6. You use anyway or anyhow to change the topic or return to a previous topic. ‘I’ve got a terrible cold.’—‘Have you? Oh dear. Anyway, so you’re not going to go away this weekend?’ = well ADV: ADV cl 7. You use anyway or anyhow to indicate that you want to end the conversation. ‘Anyway, I’d better let you have your dinner. Give our love to Francis. Bye.’ = well ADV: ADV cl