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However - No matter - or ...

Some expressions are quite problematic when you want to translate or express them in English or French.

Let us study the meaning of those expressions which, paradoxically, is not so easy. They can be quite tricky!

--   Even if I learn this rule, I can't use it correctly.

Therefore, the expression implies tests, attempts, repetitions and finally a failure which can be accepted, or predictable, almost inevitable.

This can be expressed in many different ways in English:

 1.  The "approximate", or let's say "ordinary" ways to put the idea into words: 

- Even if I learn this rule,  I can't use it correctly.

To our friends who are learning  English  in the whole world, this  sentence is grammatically correct but not really convincing; it's basic. 

- I have learnt that rule again and again, but can't manage to use it correctly. =  (Here, the repetition is transmitted by "again and again".)

- I have learnt and learnt that rule, but I still cannot use it correctly. (The idea of  persevering and repeating is given by the use of "learnt and learnt".)

- Say what you like but I have learnt that rule repeatedly and still cannot use it correctly. (The same idea is expressed by the adverb "repeatedly".)

- You may criticize me, but though I have learnt that rule repeatedly, I still cannot use it correctly. (The link word "though/although" expresses the paradox.)

- It's easy to say that, but in spite of learning that rule repeatedly, I still cannot use it correctly. (The paradox is in the link word "in spite of".)

 2.  The same thing could be said with despite:    "despite"+ a gerund: Despite my learning that rule...(preceded by a possessive adjectif, or much less formal, by a complement personal pronoun ( "me learning").

You understand very well that, here and in many cases, there are many, many ways to give words to  the same idea. Yet, two other ones, would more spontaneously come to an English speaker's mind and are much more idiomatic...

 3. HOWEVER+ adjective: 

- However hard/much I have learnt that rule, I still cannot use it correctly. 

This sentence is currently used in standard English in usual conversations. 

  4. NO MATTER HOW+ adjective: 

- No matter how much/ how hard I have learnt that rule, I still cannot use it correctly. 

This sentence is undoubtedly more formal than the preceding ones. 

You'll have to adapt your language to the situations you'll be facing...

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1. Mom! I've looked for it althoughagain and againlooked and lookedI don't know ... Yet, I can't find my favourite costume of the Lion King.
2. She cannot pronounce this word correctly, however hardno matterin spite ofI don't know she's trying.
3. In spite ofNo matterHowever heI don't know working like mad, he still gets average results.
4. No matter how manyNo matter howHow ever muchI don't know difficult it is for you, if you train regularly, you'll succeed.
5. I have told him and told himhowever toldno matter told wellI don't know but he still hasn't understood.
6. No matterHoweverAgain and againI don't know hard I pulled, the door wouldn't open.
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8. HoweverDespiteNo matter whatI don't know his generous understanding, he will never accept such a lame excuse.
9. HoweverHowever wellEvenNo matter whatI don't know you'll tell your Master, he'll never hire you again after your mistake.
10. The collection will never cover the expenses, no matter ifthoughdespitehoweverI don't know generous the contributors will be.