The Grammar Doctor

however

Q. Is it considered proper to start a sentence with the word "However"?

A. "However" can be an adverb, or it can be a conjunction.
As a conjunction it joins two clauses together, and it is found at the beginning of the second clause:
I would like to contribute to your cause; however, I don't have any spare cash.
Strunk and White advise against beginning a sentence with "however."

When "however" is used as an adverb, it is acceptable to put it at the beginning of a sentence:
However hard he tries, he won't succeed if he doesn't follow all the steps.


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