How to use however in the middle of a sentence example

How do you punctuate however, therefore, moreover and furthermore?

Reader’s question: I would like to know the appropriate punctuation when using the words however, therefore, moreover and furthermore.

Answer:  How you punctuate these words depends on their position and function within the sentence.

My guidelines for words such as however, therefore, moreover and furthermore are as follows.

At the beginning of a sentence

If you use these words at the beginning of a sentence, put a comma after them.

However, we still have hope.
Therefore, we will proceed with the order.
Moreover, the managers agree.
Furthermore, you know it’s true.

Some modern writers are now dropping the comma, but I still like it because it indicates a pause.

A traditional rule stated that however meaning ‘nevertheless’ should not be used at the beginning of a sentence. Most style guides consider this rule old-fashioned.

In this position in a sentence, however, therefore, moreover and therefore are adverbs.

Joining two independent clauses

Use a semicolon and comma with however, moreover, therefore and furthermore to introduce a new independent clause in a sentence. (An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought.)

We plan to stay for another year; however, Peter is leaving now.
You get immediate access when you purchase an online course; therefore, you can start today.
Swimming is against the rules; moreover, it’s dangerous.
She always meets her deadlines; furthermore, her work is good.

When these words join two independent clauses they are known as adverbial conjuncts (or conjunctive adverbs) because they are adverbs acting as conjunctions.

Some writers are now treating however, therefore, moreover and furthermore as conjunctions and just using a comma.

We plan to stay for another year, however Peter is leaving now.

My preference is to use a semicolon and comma, or rewrite the sentence.

We plan to stay for another year, but Peter is leaving now.
We plan to stay another year. However, Peter is leaving now.

To intensify or for emphasis

When you use however, furthermore, moreover or therefore as intensifiers or for emphasis, we usually put commas around both sides of them.

We, however, do not agree with the verdict.
You can, therefore, do whatever you like.
It is, moreover, true.
The vegetables, furthermore, are good for you.

However as a conjunction

You can also use however as a conjunction to mean ‘by whatever means’.

I don’t care however you do it, just get it done.

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• To mean ‘but’ 
• To mean ‘no matter how’
• To mean ‘in whatever way’ 
• Good substitutes

Can you start your sentence with ‘however?’ How about using ‘however’ in the middle of a sentence? It is certainly a very useful word. However, one must be mindful of the various regulations that dictate whenever and however we use it!  

To mean ‘but’ 

One of the most common ways we see the word ‘however’ used is to mean ‘but.’ Usually, the word comes at the beginning of a sentence and is followed by a comma. Like this:

Their schedule claimed there was a conference at 6 pm. However, the building was closed, and there was no one around. 

To use ‘however’ in this way, the word must be placed in the middle of the sentence and have commas on both sides

It was 6 pm. The building, however, was closed. 

You can also put it in the end, after a comma.

Usually, they meet at 6 pm to discuss plans for the next day. They go home on Fridays, however. 

But it is wrong to place ‘however’ between two parts of a sentence that make sense by themselves.  

He usually drives quite fast, however that day he was being careful is actually incorrect. You can use ‘but’ here instead since it is a conjunction (a word that joins two phrases). When ‘however’ means ‘but,’ it is not considered a conjunction. 

Related: Subordinating Conjunctions – What Are They?

He usually drives fast. However, he was being careful that day is grammatically correct. 

Another way to use ‘however’ in instances when phrases can stand alone (as in the example above) is to use a semi-colon instead of the full stop. You will still need to put a comma after ‘however.’ like so:

He usually drives fast; however, he was careful that day.  

To mean ‘no matter how’

Another meaning for the word ‘however,’ albeit less common, is ‘no matter how.’ You can put it in the middle of a sentence without a comma following it.  

I can’t wake up in the morning to run before work, however hard I try.  

With this meaning, you can also put ‘however’ at the beginning of the sentence, without a comma after it.  

However many times I told the kids to clean their room, it was always messy.   

Be careful not to accidentally put a comma after ‘however’ in this instance, or you could change the meaning of the phrase.

However, many times I told the kids to clean their room, it was always messy. 

If you are defending your parenting methods by stating that you did tell the kids to clean the room many times, the comma should really be a full stop or a semi-colon.

To mean ‘in whatever way’ 

When used in this way, ‘however’ can be put at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence, with no punctuation around it. 

I will be happy to travel there however you want. Be it by car, air or train!

I will talk to him however I want. He is my brother, after all. 

Good substitutes

If you are writing a long document, and you need to connect from one paragraph to another, it’s easy to overuse the word ‘however’ (meaning ‘but’). Below are some good alternatives to keep your writing varied: 

• even so,
• howbeit,
• nevertheless,
• notwithstanding,
• nonetheless,
• still and all,
• still,
• though,

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