Use Caution Handling “However”

When I review your writing, one of the first things I do is reword almost all sentences that start, “However, . . .”

“But starting sentences that way is grammatically correct,” you might protest.

And you’d be right. Even so, I suggest you limit your use of this sentence-starter.

There are 4 Rules you need to know.

🔷 1: THE GRAMMAR RULE

The first rule is basic, but it’s been a minute since middle-school, so here’s a refresher.

There are only 3 ways you can use “however” to show contrast or indicate a shift in direction.

A, B & C are all correct:

A- P is this. However, D is that.
B- P is this; however, D is that.
C- P is this. D, however, is that.

This last one is incorrect: 🚫 P is this, however, D is that.

🔷 2: THE USAGE RULE

The word “however” without a comma means “in whatever way” or “to whatever extent.”

Examples:

“However he travels there, he’ll be late.”
“Do it however you like.”

So unless you intend that other meaning, always use a comma after “however.”

🔷 3: A GREAT STYLE RULE

Some seem to slap a “However, . . .” at the start of every sentence that contrasts in some way with the sentence before it.

Although perhaps that’s ok grammar-wise, using “However, . . .” haphazardly like that is not ok style-wise.

👉 “However, . . . ” is not some all-powerful sentence-starter that will magically make your writing flow. In fact, many top legal writers shun the practice altogether (see Rule 4).

At the very least, add variety by placing “however” (surrounded by commas) in the middle of your sentences. (See carousel for example.)

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

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

🔷 4: THE NEARLY-NEVER-HOWEVER RULE

Most advanced legal writers—especially those who do a lot of high-level brief writing or teach on the subject—tend to harbor strong views on whether it’s preferable to start a sentence with “However, . . . .”

The case for the Nearly-Never-However Rule is in the carousel. ⤵️

***
As for me, I don’t think I ever use “However, . . .” when I write.
But I don’t edit them all out of the writing I review.
I edit almost all of them out.
You should, too.

🗳️ What’s your view?

Fondly,
💌 Amanda

P.S. For future tips & discussion, follow the hashtag I created for my writing posts —> #DearLegalWriter.

P.P.S. This final note is for Ross, in case he reads. I know there are a lot of other words best avoided for similar reasons, such as “nevertheless” and “nonetheless.” With “however,” they share many shortcomings. But they’re far less common. College students don’t come to law school using “nevertheless” and “nonetheless” in the willy-nilly way they use “however.” That’s why I put focus on “however” above the others here.

#lawstudents
#legalwriting