Learn English – Is this usage of “however” with an adjective correct

adverbsword-choice

Is the word "however" correctly used in this sentence? If not, how could it be rephrased?

This program, however comprehensive, hasn't been updated for a long time.

Is there a better construct to say that a good attribute of an object is outweighed by a drawback?

Best Answer

However is correctly used in the example, with sense “To whatever degree”, that is, “no matter how much”. But it does not indicate whether the program's comprehensiveness outweighs its vintage. That could go either way. To specifically indicate one way or the other, sentences like the following can be used:

This program, while dated, is comprehensive.
This program, although comprehensive, is obsolete.
However comprehensive this program may be, it's obsolete.
The comprehensive scope of this program outweighs its dated status.