In the world of grammar and writing, the word “however” is often met with confusion. Is it a conjunction or an adverb? The answer is both. However is a conjunctive adverb, a rare type of word that acts as both an adverb and a conjunction, depending on its position in the sentence.
As an adverb, “however” modifies the verb and conveys the meaning of “in whatever manner or means” or “no matter how.” For example, “She tried to fix the computer; however, it still wouldn’t turn on.” In this sentence, “however” is an adverb that modifies the verb “tried.”
As a conjunction, “however” connects two independent clauses and indicates a contrast between them. For example, “She loves to swim; however, she hates the beach.” In this sentence, “however” is a conjunction that connects the two independent clauses and shows the contrast between the two ideas.
It’s important to note that “however” is not a coordinating conjunction (a FANBOYS word like “and” or “but”) and cannot be used to connect two phrases or words. Instead, “however” requires a semicolon before it and a comma afer it when connecting two independent clauses.
Another difference between “however” and other conjunctions is that it can appear in the middle of a sentence, whereas coordinating conjunctions can only appear at the beginning or end of a sentence. For example, “She wanted to go to the party; the invitation, however, had been lost in the mail.” In this sentence, “however” interrupts the second clause to provide additional information.
“however” is a versatile word that can act as both an adverb and a conjunction, providing contrast and adding depth to your writing. By understanding its unique properties, you can use “however” to its full potential and enhance your writing style.
The Use of Connectives and Conjunctions
However is a connective that functions as a connecting adverb. It is used to show a contrast between two ideas or clauses. It is often used to indicate a counterargument or a shift in the direction of the discourse. However is not a conjunction because it does not join two independent clauses. Instead, it modifies the meaning of the sentence by showing a relationship between two ideas. It is important to note that however is not the only connecting adverb in English. Other examples include nevertheless, furthermore, and moreover.
The Use of ‘Is’ as a Conjunction
However can function as a conjunction. It is a conjunctive adverb that connects two independent clauses, indicating a contrast or a contradiction between them. For example, “I want to go to the party, however, I have to study for my exam.” In this sentence, “however” connects “I want to go to the party” and “I have to study for my exam” and shows that these two ideas are in contrast to each other.
The Use of ‘Is’ as a Conjunction or Preposition
When it coes to the function of “however” in a sentence, it is considered a conjunctive adverb rather than a conjunction or preposition. A conjunctive adverb is a type of adverb that is used to connect independent clauses in a sentence. It acts as a transition or a link between two ideas.
Unlike coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS), which connect two equal parts of a sentence, conjunctive adverbs require a semicolon before them to connect two independent clauses. For instance, “I was planning to go for a walk; however, it started raining heavily.”
“however” is not a conjunction or preposition; instead, it is a conjunctive adverb that connects two independent clauses in a sentence.
The Part of Speech of ‘Although’ and ‘However’
When it coms to identifying parts of speech, it is important to understand that words can belong to different categories depending on how they are used in a sentence. In the case of ‘although’ and ‘however’, although is a conjunction, which means it is used to connect two clauses or sentences. It is often used to introduce a contrasting idea or to express a concession. For example, “Although I like chocolate, I try to avoid eating it too often.”
On the other hand, ‘however’ is an adverb that is used to indicate a contrast or a shift in thought. It is often used to introduce a new idea or to qualify a previous statement. For example, “The weather was supposed to be sunny today. However, it started raining in the afternoon.”
‘although’ is a conjunction while ‘however’ is an adverb.
Conclusion
It is important to understand that however is a versatile part of speech that can function as both a conjunction and an adverb. It is used to connect ideas, express contrast, or indicate a change in direction in the discourse. As a conjunctive adverb, however requires a semicolon to connect two independent clauses. It is not a coordinating conjunction and should not be preceded by a comma alone. When usig however in writing, it is important to be clear and concise and avoid repetition by using a variety of synonyms. By following these guidelines, writers can effectively use however to enhance the flow and coherence of their writing.
