Using however - Emphasis

Using however Using however ‘However’ is a useful word, however you look at it. [Sorry – Ed.] But readers of our e-bulletin, Write Away, often ask us to clarify the right ways to use it. However we can help, say we. Meaning ‘but’ The most common way of using ‘however’ is to mean ‘but’. This usually comes at the beginning of a sentence, and is followed by a comma. The calendar claimed the month was May. However, the temperature felt more like November. For this use, it’s also correct to put it in the middle of the sentence, with commas either side. It was May. It was, however, very nippy. Or you can put it at the end, after a comma. I am normally wearing shorts by this time of year. I’m afraid of pneumonia, however. But it is wrong to use ‘however’ between two parts of a sentence that make sense by themselves. I look forward to this time of year, however today I have goosebumps is grammatically incorrect. You can use ‘but’ here instead, because it is a conjunction (or joining word). ‘However’ is not a conjunction when it means ‘but’. I look forward to this time of year. However, today I have goosebumps is grammatically correct. Meaning ‘no matter how’ Another, less common, meaning for ‘however’ is ‘no matter how’. You can use it in the middle of a sentence without a comma after it. I couldn’t bring myself to give up my thermal vest, however tired I was of being teased for it. You can also put it at the beginning of your sentence, without a comma afterwards. However you like me to dress, I’ll do the opposite. Be wary of not accidentally putting a comma after ‘however’ in this instance, or you could end up saying something quite different. However, you like me to dress, I’ll do the opposite. [Note: if you do ever want to assert that, while there are people who prefer you clothed, you will always choose to defy them, then that second comma should really be a semi-colon. Or a full stop.] Meaning ‘in whatever way’ In this form ‘however’ can be at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence, with no punctuation around it. I’m kidding. I’ll dress however you’d like me to. It’s your mum’s birthday party. How do I want to travel to Hawaii? However you want. You’re paying. Alternatives When you’re writing a long document, and you need to link from one paragraph to another, it’s easy to fall into the trap of over-using ‘however’ (meaning ‘but’). Here are some good alternatives to keep your writing varied and fresh:         Nevertheless         On the other hand         But         Yet         Despite         In contrast/comparison. If you’re ever in doubt about how to use a particular word, or if you have any other business writing questions, our free 64-page guide to better writing The Write Stuff will help. Click here to download your free copy.