Conjunctions are words or groups of words that act as linkers. Their main functions are to connect words, phrases, clauses, and sentences. Now, we will examine whether the word ‘however’ is a conjunction or not.
The word ‘however‘ can be used as a conjunction. Though the word ‘however’ is not a coordinating conjunction like FANBOYS it can be used as a conjunction. It can be used in a sentence to connect two different ideas. Thus we can construct a single complex sentence.
Ex- There is not enough space for all to sit in the room; however we can manage.
Explanation- In this sentence, two ideas are joined with the word ‘however’ and make a single sentence.
Let us be familiar with more facts related to it.
Here we shall discuss when the word ‘however’ is conjunction.
The word ‘however’ can commonly be used as an adverb. The word ‘however’ can be placed within a sentence to connect two ideas like conjunction. Thus it acts as conjunction and frames complex sentences.
Ex- Our pet cat prefers milk and fish; however, we can provide it with rice.
Explanation- In this example, the word ‘however’ acts as conjunction and joins two different ideas. In this way ‘however’ can work as a conjunction.
Why is ‘however’ a conjunctive adverb?
Besides working as conjunction the word ‘however’ is a conjunctive adverb. Now we will examine the fact.
The term ‘conjunctive adverb’ indicates the word that works as conjunction and this conjunction acts as an adverb. It modifies the verb or an adjective in the sentence. It mainly modifies the verb of the main clause.
The word ‘however’ acts in a sentence like a conjunctive adverb. Through we also represent a sequence, contrast, cause, and effect.
Ex- Sohini went to all the shops in the market; however she did not find what she wanted.
Explanation- In this sentence, we see that the word ‘however’ is used to join the clauses and brings the result.
Examples of ‘however’ as conjunction:
Let us get to know the sentences where the word ‘however’ is used as a conjunction.
| Serial number | Examples | Explanations |
| 1. | There is a computer in our house; however, my daughter wants a laptop. | Here it is seen that the word ‘however’ is used to join two clauses and acts as conjunction. |
| 2. | The weather is bad; however, we go out to play tennis. | In this sentence, the word ‘however’ works as a conjunction. It joins two clauses together and makes a single sentence. |
| 3. | Decorate the room well; however, there is a shortage of flowers. | This is the example where the word ‘however’ is used as a conjunction. It connects two separate ideas and makes a complex sentence. |
| 4. | Haren wanted to help me; however, he did. | Here it is found that the word ‘however’ joins the two ideas i.e. ‘Haren wanted to help me and I did it. |
| 5. | The president came to my assistance; however, I did it myself. | Here it is found that the word ‘however’ works as a conjunction and it joins the two ideas together to make a single sentence. |
When is ‘however’ not considered as conjunction?
The word ‘however’ is not considered conjunction. Let us examine the fact.
We can use the word ‘however’ as an adverb. Like an adverb, it can modify a verb in the concerned sentence. In everyday speech, we use the word ‘however’. It acts as a conjunctive adverb. We can place it in any part of the sentence.
Ex- However much Pulak earns, he cannot maintain his family properly.
Explanation- This sentence shows that the word ‘however’ functions as an adverb. Like a true adverb, It modifies the verb ‘earn’ and fulfills its criteria.
Examples of ‘however’ not considered as conjunctions:
The word ‘however’ is sometimes used as a conjunctive adverb. Let us get to know the fact with enough examples.
Follow the examples below.
| Serial number | Examples | Explanations |
| 1. | However hard he studied, he could not get success. | Here the word ‘however’ shows its function as an adverb. In this sentence. it modifies the adjective ‘hard’ |
| 2. | My friends are planning to go to Puri; however much it costs. | In this sentence, the word ‘however’ has the function of an adverb. It modifies the adjective ‘much’. |
| 3. | It is unlikely, however, that the price of essential goods is increasing. | Here ‘however’ is used as an adverb. It tells us more about the verb ‘increase’. |
Conclusion
The article is about the detailed discussion on the usages of ‘however’ as a conjunction. It will certainly help us to use it as a conjunctive adverb. The careful study will be beneficial to us.
However you look at it, “however” is tricky to teach and learn!
In our Militarized Police lesson, we’ve included a grammar review of the term however because it is used in various ways in the reading. Our head writer asked me to expand on it in this week’s blog post, and I thought that was a great idea since many of my former students struggled with this word when writing formal essays (especially in my TOEFL class). Any intermediate to advanced student would benefit from a review of the usage, sentence position, and punctuation of however!
Use #1: Contrast
A. As a Connector
The most common use of however is as an adverb that connects two sentences/clauses in order to show a contrasting idea. In this use, however is also known as a transition word or a conjunctive adverb. It is common in formal speaking and writing. Think of it as a formal way to say but, but don’t make the mistake of using it with the same punctuation! (Conjunctions like but and and take an optional comma before and no comma after.)
Sentence Position #1
However comes at the beginning of the second sentence (the one that describes the contrast or opposite viewpoint), following the period from the first sentence. In this position, however is followed by a comma.
- We were told we would be discussing the new schedule during the meeting. However, our boss never brought it up once.
- The temperature on Mercury’s surface exceeds 430 degrees Celsius during the day. However, it falls to minus 180 degrees at night.
- Our school only has Apple computers. However, some students are more familiar with PCs.
Sentence Position #2
Similar to Position #1, however can also join two sentences/clauses together. Place a semicolon after the first clause, followed by however and a comma.
- We were told we would be discussing the new schedule during the meeting; however, our boss never brought it up once.
- The temperature on Mercury’s surface exceeds 430 degrees Celsius during the day; however, it falls to minus 180 degrees at night.
- Our school only has Apple computers; however, some students are more familiar with PCs.
What’s the difference between the examples in Sentence Positions #1 and #2? Nothing! Use both ways for variety within your essay. Using a period is often recommended when both sentences are quite long. Using a semicolon is recommended for shorter sentences or to keep the train of thought “flowing” smoothly (using a semicolon connects and relates two sentences a bit more than a period does).
B. As an Aside
However is also an adverb in this case, and it is used to show contrast or opposing ideas. The difference is in the placement of the word, which also affects its strength. In these next two positions, however is not directly following one idea and preceding the next, so as you can guess, it’s not as strong of a contrast. However in these positions is also known as a nonessential adverb or a parenthetical adverb. It is not essential or as important to the meaning of the sentence. The idea is that you could remove however without it affecting the meaning of the rest of the sentence that much.
Sentence Position #3
Insert however after the subject of the second sentence. It can also fall between a two‑part verb (between the auxiliary or modal and main verb). In these positions, commas must come before and after however.
- I can’t make it to the party. My husband, however, will be attending.
- The union came up with a plan. The government, however, wants to renegotiate.
- Camping in the summer is fun. You must, however, remember to use sunscreen.
Sentence Position #4
Place however at the end of the second sentence. A comma must precede however in this position.
- I can’t make it to the party. My husband will be attending, however.
- The union came up with a plan. The government wants to renegotiate, however.
- Camping in the summer is fun. You must remember to use sunscreen, however.
What’s the difference between the four sentence positions so far? Can we use all four with no difference in meaning? The answer to that is yes, although using Positions #3 and #4 suggests that the connection between the two sentences is slightly less important.
- I have two dogs. However, my roommate prefers cats.
- I have two dogs; however, my roommate prefers cats.
- I have two dogs. My roommate, however, prefers cats.
- I have two dogs. My roommate prefers cats, however.
Use #2: In Whatever Manner
However is also a conjunction or adverb (depending on the sentence position) that means in whatever manner or means or no matter how.
Sentence Position #5
Conjunction: Place however between two clauses with no punctuation on either side.
- I will assist however I can.
- Decorate it however you like.
Sentence Positions #6 & #7
Adverb: Place however at the beginning of the dependent clause. In English, dependent clauses can follow independent clauses (use no punctuation before or after however) or begin the sentence (use no punctuation after however). If the dependent clause begins the sentence, don’t forget to include a comma at the end of the dependent clause.
- The situation is unfair however you look at it.
- However you look at it, the situation is unfair.
Even though this seems like a lot to take in, remember that most formal transition words in English (such as moreover, on the other hand, furthermore, in contrast, etc.) all follow the same first four sentence patterns. Find a comprehensive list of transition words on page 5 of our How to Write Body Paragraphs lesson.
Learning about conjunctions can really improve your game when learning English. The word “however” is an important conjunction to understand (and perhaps one of the most common). We use it at the start of a sentence or in the middle, so let’s see how we do so!
We use “however” in the middle of a sentence when it is linking two clauses together. If the two clauses are closely related, “however” is used as a coordinating conjunction and often separated by commas or semi-colons to fit in the flow of the sentence.
Punctuation
When we use “however” in the middle of a sentence, it’s important to understand the punctuation rules. You’re always going to need to include some punctuation when writing “however.” If you leave it without anything, then your sentence will feel wordy and difficult to read.
There is one main option for punctuating “however.” You can use a semi-colon before it and a comma after. The semi-colon breaks up the flow from the first clause, allowing the reader a second to gather their thoughts. The comma starts the new clause.
- Incorrect:People thought hard about it however there wasn’t much to think about.
- Incorrect:People thought hard about it, however there wasn’t much to think about.
- Correct:People thought hard about it; however, there wasn’t much to think about.
All of these sentences are the same (to help you understand the differences). The first one uses no punctuation, and you can see how wordy and difficult it is to understand.
The second sentence uses one comma before “however.” The idea is to break up the two clauses, which on paper is smart, but it isn’t executed correctly here.
Finally, the correct sentence comes with a semi-colon before “however” and a comma after. The semi-colon breaks up the two connected clauses to help with understanding. “However” stands alone as a coordinating conjunction, meaning a comma needs to come directly after it before the new clause makes sense.
- People thought hard about it. There wasn’t much to think about.
This is what the sentences look like without “however” in the middle. They still make perfect sense; they just need a bit more of a connection between them.
Examples Of Using However In The Middle Of A Sentence
We’ve shown off one example (as well as some incorrect punctuation variations); now it’s time to show you a few more. We’ll try and include as many as we can think of that gives you a good variety of when the word works best in the middle of a sentence.
- You can’t find the correct answer; however, you’ve been studying for months.
- Some people disagree with me; however, I know I’m right.
- This isn’t the correct building; however, I think the one across the street is.
- You’re not going to find anything there; however, you can keep trying if it makes you feel better.
- There aren’t many good people left in the world; however, I met a wonderful man on the bus today.
- They say that chivalry is dead; however, my father taught me the proper values.
- My father passed away last week; however, he left me a considerable sum of money and his house.
- I think she likes me; however, she’s still in a relationship with him.
- My mom told me to do my chores; however, I left the house before I got a chance.
See how we use the semi-colon in each of these cases to break up the flow of the two sentences. Every one of these examples can remove “however” from the middle of the sentence and be left as two standalone sentences.
We include “however” in the middle to help with the sentence structure and flow. It makes it easier to read, and we introduce “however” when two contrasting clauses are close together.
Step-By-Step Guide: How To Break A Sentence With However
Now that we’ve seen “however” in action in the middle of a sentence, it’s time to look at a breakdown of how you might want to do it yourself. Remember, you can’t just throw “however” between any two sentences for it to make sense.
To use “however” appropriately, it must come between two contrasting yet closely related ideas in two sentences. Any sentences that can’t connect in that way will use “however” incorrectly.
Using “however” to break a sentence works like this:
- Start with two closely related yet contrasting sentences.
- “I like ice cream. I’m allergic to ice cream.”
- Put “however” between the two words.
- “I like ice cream however I’m allergic to ice cream.”
- Include the correct punctuation (semi-colon) to break up the two clauses.
- “I like ice cream; however I’m allergic to ice cream.”
- Put a comma after “however” to show it as a coordinating conjunction.
- “I like ice cream; however, I’m allergic to ice cream.”
- Bonus Step: if the two phrases use the same object (ice cream), you can remove it for sentence flow.
- “I like ice cream; however, I’m allergic.”
What Alternatives Do I Have To Using However In The Middle Of A Sentence?
If you don’t want to use “however” in the middle of a sentence, you have other options. If you’re struggling with the language rules around it, though, you might find that you have a tricky time with these alternatives too.
Since each of these is used as a coordinating conjunction, you’ll still need to punctuate your sentences correctly. Still, it’s a good idea to have a range of conjunctions ready, so you don’t always use “however” to introduce contrasting points.
- But
The simplest of the conjunctions that can replace “however.” It works to introduce a contrasting point in the same way.
- Use “however” at the start of a sentence.
Rather than connecting two clauses, you can start the second sentence with “however.” You still need to follow it with a comma, though.
- Still
Another good conjunction that replaces the meaning of “however.” It’s on par with “but,” and the two work well with each other.
You might also like:
Can You Start A Sentence With “However”? Learn It Here! (With Examples)
Can You End A Sentence With “However”? Learn It Here! (With Examples)
9 Words To Use Instead Of “However” (With Examples)
Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.
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If you’re not sure that you’re using «however» in the right way, that’s because there are many ways to use it correctly. It can be easy to get confused, as each use of «however» has its own punctuation, and its own place in the sentence. Once you learn the distinctions, however, you’re unlikely to forget them.
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Begin a contrasting statement with «However,». To introduce a sentence that contradicts or contrasts with the previous sentence, start it with «However,…» This will alert your reader that a shift is forthcoming. Always put a comma after the «However,» and follow it with a complete sentence.[1]
- You might write, «I was very excited to be invited to lunch. However, I had already made plans.»
- Another example could be, «The pattern was certainly original. However, the new wallpaper did not match the furniture at all.»
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2
Join two contrasting sentences using «; however,». When you have two full sentences that are in opposition or contrast to one another, but are closely connected, join them with a semicolon, the word «however,» and a comma. This shows that the second sentence is in opposition in some way to the first.[2]
- Start with two sentences that contain opposition: «I would love to join you for lunch. I am too busy.»
- Join them in this way: «I would love to join you for lunch; however, I am too busy.»
- This will make the connections between the sentences obvious, and help your writing sound more cohesive.
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3
Use «, however,» as an aside. To interrupt a sentence that is already in progress, insert «however» between two commas. Like other uses of «however,» this implies a contrast to the previous content, but in a way that makes the contrast sound a little less crucial.[3]
- Put «, however,» after the subject of the second sentence: «I can’t make it to lunch. You, however, are going to love that restaurant.»
- Use it to divide a two-part verb: «I can’t make it to lunch. I could, however, join you next week.»
- Put it at the end of the second sentence: «I can’t make it to lunch. I could join you next week, however.»
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1
Use it to mean «regardless of how,» or «in whatever way.» When «however» is a relative adverb, it is used to express a lack of limits. It can be used to start a sentence, or inserted after a comma in a dependent clause.[4]
- You could say, «However you look at it, we owe Puerto Rico significant aid.»
- You may also write, «I’ll make it to lunch, however the day goes.»
- Check that you are using it correctly by replacing it with the phrases «regardless of how» or «in whatever way.»
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Pair it with an adjective or adverb. «However» can be used to express «to whatever extent» when paired with an adjective or adverb.[5]
- You can write, «I’ll call you from Tokyo, however much it costs.»
- Another example could be, «However doomed the relationship, an open heart is its own reward.»
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Start a question with «how ever» to express surprise. Use «how ever» to mean «in whatever way» when you wish to show surprise with the action described. As the «ever» is used as an intensifier, the words should be separated.[6]
- You might write, «How ever did you find my address?»
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Make sure your semicolons and commas are in the right place. When you use «however» as a conjunctive adverb, remember that the semicolon comes before «however,» and the comma comes after. Remember that two commas are not enough to contain a «however.» [7]
- Incorrect: «Yes, your new shoes do match your outfit, however; they aren’t weather-appropriate.»
- Incorrect: «Yes, your new shoes do match your outfit, however, they aren’t weather-appropriate.»
- Correct: «Yes, your new shoes do match your outfit; however, they aren’t weather-appropriate.»
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2
Watch for fragments. It’s easy to write fragment sentences when you start them with, «However.» If a sentence begins, «However, …» it needs to be followed by an independent clause! Check all your sentences that contain it to make sure they are complete.[8]
- Incorrect: «However, the sky in April.» This sentence has no verb, so it’s not complete.
- Correct: «However, the sky in April was clouded.» This sentence has a subject and verb, so it’s complete.
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3
Check that you are saying what you mean. When using «however» as a relative adverb, a lot of the meaning will depend on the grammar. If you forget some punctuation, or put it in the wrong place, you could say something you don’t mean. Notice how the meaning changes depending on where the punctuation is placed:[9]
- «Carrots are naturally delicious however they have been cooked.»
- «Carrots are naturally delicious; however, they have been cooked.»
- If you mean that carrots are good in every form, the first option is correct.
- If you mean that carrots are good raw, but not when cooked, the second option is correct.
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Don’t over use «However,» especially to start sentences. Restrict yourself to just a few uses per page. If you are beginning a sentence with «However,» ask yourself if it would make more sense to connect it to the previous sentence using a semicolon and a colon. Use different conjunctive adverbs to lend variety and specificity to your paper, such as:[10]
- Rather
- Instead
- Yet
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Question
What’s the proper use of could and would?
The simplest answer is that «could» is the past tense of «can,» and «would » is the past tense of «will» or «shall.» It’s more involved than that, however, and your best option is to look up those words in a dictionary.
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Question
What is the proper use of «hence»?
«Hence» means «therefore»: «The situation scared me; hence the weapon I carried.» It also means «in the future»: «It occurred three years hence» (three years from now).
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Question
Can we use «but» and «however» interchangeably?
They are similar but not identical in meaning and thus are not interchangeable. One difference is that you can start a sentence with «however» but not with «but.» (There are other differences, too.)
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An intensifier is an adverb that gives force or emphasis.[11]
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Relative adverbs introduce a clause by modifying an previous word, phrase, or clause.
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References
About This Article
Article SummaryX
To use «however,» use it at the beginning of a contrasting statement, followed by a comma. For example, you could say, «I liked my lunch. However, it was too expensive.» You can also use «however» in the middle of a sentence to contrast two things. For example, you could say, «I can’t make it. You, however, should be able to.» Or, you can use «however» to mean «in whatever way.» For example, you could say, «However you look at it, it’s bad.» For more tips from our English co-author, like how to use «however» in other ways, read on!
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В этой статье мы рассмотрим английские союзы, которые выражают противопоставление, контраст. В русском языке они соответствуют уступительным и противительным союзам по значению.
Также, разберемся, в чем разница между although, though, however и сходными по значению предлогами in spite of/despite, и в каком конкретном случае целесообразнее использовать то или иное слово.
Although
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Союз although используется для выражения противопоставления или контраста. Переводится на русский язык: хотя, не смотря на. Although обычно ставится в начале или в середине предложения, а за ним следуют подлежащее и сказуемое. |
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Примеры предложений
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Though
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Союз though выступает эквивалентом although и имеет аналогичный перевод, но менее формален. |
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Примеры предложений
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| Гораздо чаще в разговорной речи though встречается в конце предложения и переводится: однако, все же, тем не менее. В этом случае его нельзя заменить на although. |  |
Примеры предложений
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However
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Союз however (однако, тем не менее)используется для противопоставления информации двух частей предложения, либо двух отдельных предложений. На письме however всегда выделяется запятой. Этот союз более характерен для формального стиля речи. |
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Примеры предложений
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In spite of / Despite
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In spite of / despite (не смотря на, вопреки, не взирая на) также выражает противоречие, но в отличии от although, употребляется перед существительными, местоимениями, герундием.
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