Some writers have even gone so far as to say it is preferable to start sentences with however instead of burying the word in the middle of a sentence, because putting it at the beginning makes the connection between sentences more clear and therefore makes the text easier to scan. This article shows you how to correctly start a sentence in the context of scientific writing, and gives examples of commonly used words you can use. Bury it between commas, or replace it with but or nevertheless.—Sheridan Baker, The Complete Stylist, 1966, But its use for how and ever as, “However could he do it?” should be avoided as a vulgarism; while its employment in the sense of “at any rate; at all” … is provincial and archaic.—Frank Vizetelly, A Desk-Book of Errors in English, 1920, Avoid starting a sentence with however when the meaning is “nevertheless.”—William Strunk Jr. & E. B. So pull on your boots of confidence and stop worrying about using however. However, I was talking about Miss Moore.—Charlotte Brontë, The Duke of Zamorna, 1838, However, as a Spectator I gain’d Admittance, and with the rest entred directly into the Temple.—Silence Dogood (Benjamin Franklin), Letter to The New-England Courant, 14 May, 1722. Her popular LinkedIn Learning courses help people write better to communicate better. Usage experts have been advising people not to begin sentences with 'however' for at least a hundred years. If the word however is used as a transition word, you use a comma after it. I couldn’t bring myself to give up my thermal vest, however tired I was of being teased for it. Nelle. 1 decade ago. However, if crew morale is better served by my roaming the halls weeping, I will gladly defer to your medical expertise.”. If you want to use however at the start of a sentence in a whatever style of meaning, then you could do something like this: “However the car was driven, it remained on the road”. The modern style guides don’t call starting a sentence with however an error. Experto Credo. Find another word for however. Some classic grammarians will argue that you should not begin a sentence with however if you can use but or nevertheless, but as applied in the University of Oxford Style Guide, however can be used to start a sentence. In fact, starting a sentence with "however" is a clear way to link a new sentence to the previous sentence, which is the primary function of a conjunctive adverb like "however." The main thing about however that many people seem to remember is that there was some sort of issue with putting it at the beginning of a sentence. However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results, However bad you think you’re going to be in that room, not being there is worse, Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing. Starting a Sentence with "However" For no good reason, lots of writers dislike starting a sentence with "however." That movie, however, was the worst one ever! If you need a guide on starting sentences with coordinating conjunctions so you can feel free to write what you want but without sounding like an aggressive illiterate, just remember the following: In normal written communication, never start a sentence with a coordinating conjunction. You may, however, encounter people who mistakenly believe that starting a sentence with a conjunction is an error, so consider your audience when deciding to structure your sentences this way. " The movie got good reviews; however, it was very long. " Starting a sentence with however is an entirely different thing. You will be shocked at how commonly used these words are. You can start a sentence with "however," but you need to be careful. You can start a sentence with 'because' or 'however,' but you have to know how to do it correctly. There are better things in life on which to spend your time. Favorite Answer. This lesson will walk through how to start with these transitional words but still make sure your sentence is complete. This page includes examples of starting sentences with 'and,' 'but,' and 'or.' Many usages guides have tried to restrict the usage of "however," suggesting it cannot start a sentence, be used with "but," or replace "nevertheless," but none of these guides can agree and there is ample historical evidence of "however" being used at the start of a sentence. The worksheet and quiz are tools that help gauge your knowledge of working with because and however when starting sentences. Take a little time to improve your writing by creating better sentences where you don’t need to start sentences with these two words and your writing will be a lot better. Build a city of skyscrapers—one synonym at a time. Starting Your Sentence The most simple and traditional way to start a sentence is with the […] We are currently experiencing playback issues on Safari. It has basically the same meaning as ‘but’. Strunk & White, pp. 9 However , at present—and for the future as far as we can see—growth in technology outpaces growth in wealth. "—Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey, 1818, However, he still persisted in his care of him, and made him an offer of his Horse to carry him to the next Town, where he might have Conveniences for drying his Clothes, and getting some inward Refreshment.—Mary Davys, The Cousins, 1725, Oh, there is no accounting for the caprice of women. If you do start a sentence like the one above with however, use a comma after it to distinguish it from the other meanings of however. Strunk & White could have expanded this advice by urging the use of But as a way to start a sentence and to show contrast at its beginning. 1 1. rosalee. The chef prepared the fish exquisitely. Although you may have heard otherwise, it's fine to start a sentence with "however." As is so often the case, the things we may have learned as “rules” for starting a sentence are not always universal. Set your young readers up for lifelong success, Study Up With Our Official SCRABBLE Dictionary. Welcome to the Real Grammar video series. What could possibly be wrong with using however? Often this is simply phrased as “do not begin sentences with however,” and other times the prohibition is slightly more nuanced (as was the position of Strunk & White), specifying that however should not begin a sentence when the meaning is “nevertheless,” “yet,” or “but.”, This is a stylistic choice, more than anything else, as we have a considerable body of evidence of writers using however to begin sentences, frequently with the meaning of “nevertheless.”, “However, I am sure James does not drink so much. It was very long. be cautious about doing do no matter how, instead of however, as. Correct punctuation with `` however '' is fine both in mid-sentence and start! 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