Usage guides will tell you not to start a sentence with however, but writers have been doing it for centuries. It’s a stylistic choice that’s fine to make.
Some people stride through our language, wearing heavy boots of confidence and armed with a certainty that they have a commanding grasp of the rules and regulations of the English tongue which is sufficient enough that they never worry about things such as whether they should use that or which. And then there are the rest of us, stumbling about and carrying with us a dim and perpetual sense of worry that every linguistic choice we make, no matter how innocuous it might seem, is fraught with peril. However….actually, before addressing this sense of worry, let’s look at the first word of this sentence, which is the sort of thing that makes us fret.
What could possibly be wrong with using however? So, so much.
Usage experts have been advising people not to begin sentences with ‘however’ for at least a hundred years. However, many famous writers—including Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë—have used the word this way.
However. Bury it between commas, or replace it with but or nevertheless.
—Sheridan Baker, The Complete Stylist, 1966But 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, 1920Avoid starting a sentence with however when the meaning is “nevertheless.”
—William Strunk Jr. & E. B. White, The Elements of Style, 1959
Is There a Rule Against «However»?
In case there is not enough there to make you pause every time you use however in the future, there’s more: in his 1926 A Dictionary of Modern English Usage, H. W. Fowler helpfully arranges his quibbles about the use of however into four main categories, addressing the issues of when however comes too early in a sentence, too late, and whether or not but however is redundant (spoiler alert: he thinks it is).
We are not certain when the restrictions on however began, although an article in the Chicago Daily Tribune from 1920 includes a parenthetical statement of “a purist tells us that one should never begin a sentence with however,” so it has apparently been around for a century or more.
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. 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.”
«However» at the Start of a Sentence
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.»
—Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey, 1818However, 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, 1725Oh, there is no accounting for the caprice of women. However, I was talking about Miss Moore.
—Charlotte Brontë, The Duke of Zamorna, 1838However, 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
Although there have been many restrictions proposed for how however is used, there has never been any strong agreement on them, and somehow we all appear to have muddled our way through communicating with each other using this word. However may be used to begin a sentence, it can be used in conjunction with but, and you can place it pretty much anywhere you want in a sentence, so long as you do so with care.
So pull on your boots of confidence and stop worrying about using however. There are better things in life on which to spend your time.
MORE TO EXPLORE: ‘Soever,’ ‘Whomsoever,’ and ‘Wheresoever’
Many people wonder if the English language allows you to start a sentence with however.
The answer is yes! It’s grammatically correct to start a sentence with however, as long as you make sure you’re writing a complete sentence.
Read on to learn more about how to start sentences with however.
So, How Can You Start a Sentence with However?
There are two ways to use however at the beginning of a sentence. One way is as a conjunctive adverb that means but. Another way is as a word that means no matter how.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these possibilities.
The first option is to use however in a way that means but or “in spite of that.” In this case, the word however functions as a coordinating conjunction to contrast that sentence with the previous one.
For example, imagine you want to tell someone why you can’t eat the chocolate cake they’re offering you.
Your first sentence might be: “Chocolate cake is delicious.” Your second sentence might be: “However, it isn’t good for my health.”
In this case, the word however is a transition that cues the reader that the second sentence, “It isn’t good for my health,” will stand in contrast to the previous sentence, “Chocolate cake is delicious.” However links these two independent clauses together to form a complete idea.
Here are some other examples of sentences that begin with this version of however:
- You are certainly a strong candidate for this position. However, we’ve decided to go with another candidate.
- We can make room for you tonight. However, next time you come, you should make a reservation in advance.
- Your dog is allowed on the train. However, please make sure he doesn’t disturb the other passengers.
Now let’s look at the second option, which is to use however in a way that means “no matter how” or “in whatever manner.”
Consider the following sentence: “However fast you run, you won’t make it to the finish line ahead of me.” This sentence means the same thing as “No matter how fast you run, you won’t make it to the finish line ahead of me.”
Here are some other examples of sentences that begin with this definition of however:
- However old you are, you’re never too old to enjoy a good fairy tale.
- However many times I tell you to pay attention, you never seem to listen to me.
- However far you go, you should never forget where you came from.
Examples of Starting a Sentence with However
The best way to learn grammar is by reading plenty of real-world examples.
Here are some examples of sentences from English literature that begin with the word however.
“It is known that there are an infinite number of worlds, simply because there is an infinite amount of space for them to be in. However, not every one of them is inhabited.”—Douglas Adams, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
“When I visited Ledgers and Lists, I discovered he only taught one class: Unlikely Maths. However, this was less than helpful in tracking him down, as according to the ledger, the time of the class was ‘now’ and the location was ‘everywhere.’”—Patrick Rothfuss, The Name of the Wind
“I am able to partition parts of my intellect into a discrete packet, which then conducts the test as instructed. However, I am willing to submit to such a test from you.”—Saad Z. Hossain, Cyber Mage
“At a distance, it might have seemed as if my entire summer was occupied with time at Daisy’s and a rather remarkable party at Gatsby’s. However, it was a crowded summer, and it was not until later, when I could thread the steps to disaster together like glass beads on a string, that those times stood out at all.”—Nghi Vo, The Chosen and the Beautiful
“As long as some creature experienced joy, then the condition for all other creatures included a fragment of joy. However, if any living being suffered, then for all the rest the shadow could not be entirely cast off.”—Philip K. Dick, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
“They deliberately shunned anything good—girls, sports, feasting and family life. However, Jack had noted, the happiest among them had usually found some pursuit that gave deep satisfaction: illustrating manuscripts, writing history, cooking, studying philosophy, or—like Philip—changing Kingsbridge from a sleepy village into a thriving cathedral city.”—Ken Follett, The Pillars of the Earth
“Many people, few ideas: we all think more or less the same, and we exchange, borrow, steal thoughts from one another. However, when someone steps on my foot, only I feel the pain.”—Milan Kundera, Immortality
“People can do great things. However, there are some things they just can’t do. I, for instance, have not been able to transform myself into a Popsicle, despite years of effort.”—Brandon Sanderson, Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians
“This is not our real life. However bad things got, they had that to keep them going.”—Laini Taylor, Muse of Nightmares
“However mean your life is, meet it and live it; do not shun it and call it hard names.”—Henry David Thoreau, Walden
What Is Another Word for However?
However is an adverb that means “in spite of that.” Common synonyms for this meaning of however include but, nevertheless, nonetheless, still, although, though, and even so.
If you’re using however to mean “no matter how,” then some common synonyms include anyhow and regardless.
You can try swapping out however for some of these common synonyms to see if your sentence still makes sense. You can also use these synonyms to avoid using however too many times in the same piece of writing, which might feel repetitive to readers. ProWritingAid’s Word Explorer can help you find alternative words to use in your writing.
Tips for Using However in a Sentence
When you use however to start a sentence, you need to follow proper punctuation rules. How to punctuate the sentence depends on which meaning of however you’re using.
If you’re using however to mean the same thing as but, you always need to use a comma immediately after however. For example, you should write, “Julia is doing great in school. However, Jason’s grades are abysmal.”
If you’re using however to mean no matter how, you should never use a comma immediately after however. For example, you should write, “However hard Jason tries, he just can’t get his grades up.”
Conclusion: Can You Start a Sentence with However?
Now you know everything you need to use however to start a sentence. However, it’s still a good idea to run your work through ProWritingAid to check for grammar errors, just in case you’ve missed something!
Have you tried ProWritingAid yet? What are you waiting for? It’s the best tool for making sure your copy is strong, clear, and error-free!
I have heard that starting a sentence with however is wrong. What are the grounds for this view and is it still held by a majority of pedants?
They would suggest changing
However, some people are beginning to doubt this.
to
Some people, however, are …
or
Some people are, however, beginning …
Mari-Lou A
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asked Aug 5, 2010 at 21:56
1
The Grammar Girl has a good article on this topic, basically:
It is fine to use however at the
beginning of a sentence; you just need
to know when to use a comma.
If it means «to whatever extent«, don’t use a comma:
However wrong it is, I will say it
loud and clearly.
If it means «nevertheless«, use a comma:
However, I don’t give a damn.
answered Aug 5, 2010 at 22:06
Edward TanguayEdward Tanguay
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4
I think this advice comes from the (somewhat strange) idea that sentences should have one complete idea. If your sentence begins with the conjunction «however», then it’s an extension of the idea in the previous sentence and is therefore not a «complete idea». The same reasoning is behind advice not to begin sentences with «or» and «and».
Of course this advice is silly because sentences and «complete ideas» don’t always line up, and there’s no reason that a conjunction can’t join a sentence with the previous one.
answered Aug 5, 2010 at 22:02
nohat♦nohat
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There is no rational, linguistically valid reason for this rule. It’s just a convention promulgated by misguided English writing teachers.
answered Aug 5, 2010 at 22:19
Alan HogueAlan Hogue
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answered Aug 5, 2010 at 22:06
Eric KingEric King
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1
However you parse the rule, this usage is correct. However, this may not be.
I think both are fine, but they are different cases.
answered Oct 15, 2010 at 16:41
TRiGTRiG
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It is acceptable to start a sentence with however. However, according to Strunk & White’s Elements of Style, it may only be used at the beginning of a sentence when it means “in whatever way” or “to whatever extent”. When the word is used to mean “nevertheless”, it may not come first in its sentence or clause.
Strunk & White’s Misused Expressions
MetaEd
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answered Aug 1, 2012 at 18:02
3
Yes, but you cannot start a story with it.
I also believe that there should be no more than one ‘however’ per three sentences.
answered Aug 12, 2010 at 22:28
1
No grounds whatsoever. However, a teacher is a teacher, so if you want to get a higher grade, I would suggest «basking in your own glory» without telling your teacher they are in the wrong.
answered Jul 15, 2018 at 0:48
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#1
Forgive me if this question has already been asked, but my professor strongly believes «however» is not to be used formally to begin a sentence, and I have heard much debate on this issue. Is it appropriate to begin a sentence with however?
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#2
Hello,
Yes, is acceptable to use however at the beginning of a sentence. You just need to pay attention to the punctuation that follows it :
«However, ….» means «nevertheless» — ex. «It is a great deal easier to go down hill than up. However, they kept on, with unabated perseverance.”
«However ….» means «to whatever extent» — ex. «However big the fool, there is always a bigger fool to admire him»
(More information}
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#3
Not if your professor says not to!!!!
I, personally, have no problem with beginning a sentence with «However»; however, several of my profs (years ago!) told me never to capitalize «however’ (meaning, never use it as the first word in a sentence). However, now that I’m a professor, I do what I want to do!
Last edited: Apr 29, 2009
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#4
Not if your professor says not to!!!!
I, personally, have no problem with beginning a sentence with «However»: however, several of my profs (years ago!) told me never to capitalize «however’ (meaning, never use it as the first word in a sentence). However, now that I’m a professor, I do what I want to do!
Ha ha, I almost simply said that it depends on your professor. If they do not like senteces beginning with however, then just «temporarily» do not do it!
Last edited: Apr 29, 2009
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#5
Mchel09,
It’s not worth fighting with your professor over something so easily resolved, especially when the professor is, as Kyroso states, one who «strongly believes ‘however’ is not to be used formally to begin a sentence»!!
Cagey
post mod (English Only / Latin)
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#6
I suspect that this has been discussed before, but if it has, I can’t find the thread. (Because I am slow at typing, this information will overlap that in some of the posts above.)
There are people who would agree with your professor, but many people would not. This is from the usage note from the American Heritage Dictionary:
Although some grammarians have insisted that however should not be used to begin a sentence, this rule has been ignored by a number of reputable writers. Forty-two percent of Usage Panelists say they do not follow the rule in their own writing, 19 percent say they observe it only sometimes, and 36 percent say they usually observe it.
BBC Learning English, in its discussion of the use of however, doesn’t even mention the issue. In fact, it treats the initial position as the normal one:
Note that however and nevertheless are normally placed in initial position in a sentence when contrasting two ideas. They can, however, also come in mid position or end position.
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#7
More than a few people would say it is inelegant to begin a sentence in English with a conjunction. «However» can serve as a conjunction, and that is probably what your professor has in mind. There is, however, another use of «however», and that is as an adverb. There is no objection to beginning a sentence with an adverb, and so there would be no problem with saying, for example, «However carefully I try to eat spaghetti, I always get tomato sauce on my shirt.»
It is a perplexing word that denotes a contradiction between statements and can seem like a difficult word to use. The English word “however» is a rather useful tool in essays, speeches and debates. Regardless, the conjunctive word can trip up writers who may confuse the proper punctuation or intent of this often misused word. Know how to correctly use the word “however” before embarking on an essay or report and bring home the best grade.
Definition of However
It is a handy word for creating a pause when a writer or speaker is intending to create a moment to punctuate a point between two contrasting statements. The word «however» is mainly used to introduce a statement that contrasts with the one that it follows. If a previous statement says that “roses are red,” the follow-up statement would begin with “However, that depends on the species.”
When placed at the beginning of a sentence, the word “however” is intended to mean “but” or “on the other hand.” When you put however at the end of a sentence, the word can mean an aside by the writer. Both uses require a comma, after a word at the beginning of a sentence and before the word when it is used at the end. If the word is meant to infer that something is done “by whatever amount,” then no comma is used. For instance, “However long it takes, it still will not be satisfactory.” It can be difficult to use “however” in the middle of a sentence, but when used correctly it can help complete sentences become more intriguing.
However in a Compound Sentence
Once the writer realizes how “however” can best be used, they need to understand the punctuation that assists this statement-linking word. Proper punctuation allows for the reader to clearly understand the point being made. If “however” joins two simple sentences that together create a compound sentence, it is there to show contrast between the first sentence and second sentence. This requires a semi-colon before the word “however” and a comma after the word and after the previous sentence. When using comma splices, a common mistake would just be forgetting it all together or overuse. Overall, it’s pretty easy to use.
However at the Beginning of a Sentence
Starting a sentence with however is an entirely different thing. When the word is being used to begin a sentence, a simple comma will do. Teachers prefer the word “however” to not be overused, as it can take away from the impact of the essay. It is best to use the word “however” as it was intended, in a compound sentence meant to contrast two points or statements instead of using however at the beginning of a sentence.
While it is also acceptable to begin a paragraph with the word “however,” it may be frowned upon by teachers and scholars. Some feel it stops the flow of the writer’s intent. While grammatically correct, it is not ideal if a student is searching for a good grade.
Professional writers who use “however” a lot include business writers. In business writing, there is many contrasts and points to be made that need “however” to link different parts of a sentence. Whether you’re using conjunctive adverbs, dependent clauses, or independent clauses, “however” is an important part of speech and the English language.