Breakdown of Она согласилась на эти условия, однако выгода была гораздо меньше.
она
she / it (for a feminine noun)
этот
this [f: эта, n: это]
на
on, at / by (transport) / to (a place) / to (in answer to)
быть
to be
Questions & Answers about Она согласилась на эти условия, однако выгода была гораздо меньше.
Why use однако here instead of зато, which we also just learned?
Зато implies compensation (a positive trade-off for a negative fact), translating roughly to 'but on the bright side'. Here, getting a much smaller benefit is a negative outcome, so it doesn't compensate for anything. Однако simply means 'however' and introduces a straightforward contrast or disappointment without the positive spin.
Why do we use на эти условия? Doesn't 'to agree' usually take с + Instrumental case?
You use согласиться с + Instrumental when you agree with a person or an opinion. However, when you agree to a proposal, a compromise, terms, or conditions, Russian uses согласиться на + Accusative case.
Could I say очень меньше instead of гораздо меньше?
No. Just like in English where you can't say 'very smaller', you cannot use очень (very) with a comparative adjective in Russian. To say 'much' or 'a lot' before a comparative like меньше, you must use words like гораздо or намного.
What role does the comma play before однако?
In this sentence, однако acts as a conjunction connecting two independent clauses ('She agreed...' and '...the benefit was...'). Just like with the word но (but), you must always place a comma before it to separate the clauses.