Dear Legal Writer, Stop starting sentences with “However”!

Here’s the 3-2-1 on how to use “however” to show contrast:
—3 grammatically correct ways
—2 ways folks mess things up
—1 superior way for legal writing

🔷 Three correct ways to Use “however” to show contrast—

1: You may start a sentence with “however” followed by a comma.

 ✔️ P is this. However, D is that.

2: You may use “however” followed by a comma after a semicolon.

 ✔️ P is this; however, D is that.

3: You may place “however” in the middle of a sentence set off by commas.

 ✔️ P is this. D, however, is that.

***

🛑 Two Ways Folks Mess Up—

1: You may NOT start a sentence with “however” without a comma.

 ❌ P is this. However D is that.

(It’s wrong b/c w/o a comma, “however” means “in whatever way” or “to whatever extent,” as in “However he travels there, he’ll be late,” or “Do it however you like.”)

2: You may NOT join two independent clauses with a “however.”

 ❌ P is this, however, D is that.

(That is called a comma splice, and it’s never correct.)

***

❇️ One BEST way for legal writing—

Place “however” in the middle of a sentence set off by commas.

 ✔️ P is this. D, however, is that.

 ✔️ The First Circuit has adopted this approach. All the other Circuits, however, have rejected it, and this Court should, too.

 ✔️ The Court granted D’s MTD. The Court did not, however, leave P with no recourse, as she was afforded leave to replead.

Or try these other good alternatives to “However,…”:

But
Yet
Still,
Even so,
All the same,
At the same time,
By contrast,

***
Happy “however” contrasting!!

💌 Amanda

#DearLegalWriter

P.S. Justice Antonin Scalia never started a sentence with “However.” Well, “almost never.” (13 Scribes J.L. Writing 60 (2010)).

📫 Where do you put the “however” when you write? Might you try it in the middle for me today? 🙂