However,
Do not just chuck the word ‘however’ into the middle of a long sentence or use to join two ideas into one.
Use it only at the start of a sentence followed by a comma – unless you are confident with the rules below.
CORRECT
‘However’ is a wonderful word. However, I’d recommend using it at the start of a sentence followed by a comma.
You can, however, use it like this. However, it’s far safer to stick to the first example which is always correct.
You can use a semicolon to split two related ideas; however, this is more complex and can lead to disaster.
Read the examples above out loud.
Note how the punctuation guides the reader through the correct pronunciation.
INCORRECT
Things turn ugly when it’s used to join two separate sentences together, however, some people do this lots.
Sometimes the word just appears randomly however for no apparent reason. This is beyond bad grammar.
FURTHER INFO:
The rules above apply to most connectives (furthermore, similarly, in contrast, etc.)
However, misuse of the word ‘however’ specifically has reached epidemic proportions and we should focus all
attention on this immediately.
THE THREE USES OF ‘HOWEVER’
However, this use shows change of direction.
Connective (start of sentence or after semicolon)
I’m set in my ways; however, I want to change.
You can, however, use it like this.
Adverb (commas on either side)
(‘however’ here is used to modify ‘you can’)
Relative adverb (no punctuation)
(means ‘regardless of how’ or ‘in whatever way’)
However hard you try to make rules, there’s always an
exception.