is it grammatically correct to begin a sentence with "However, __"?

Question

I've always thought this was fine. But I now have a professor who says this is wrong and crosses it out every time I use it.
He says however should only be used in the form "__ however, __"

(the ____ represents words the rest of the sentence)

Answer 1

I used to start all of my sentences with "however", however, after being slapped around I decided that however good it sounded to me, however, it was not a good idea to use however much, so I do not use however at all any more, except, however, when the need arises, however.

Then I was told not to END a sentence in "however", and I got slapped around again.

Answer 2

I think he is applying the rule that says not to start a sentence with a conjunction. He is thinking that "however" is the same as "but," which generally isn't supposed to be the first word in a sentence. But even that has its exceptions. Maybe you'd better just humor your professor.

Answer 3

It is not about whether or not it is gramatically correct, as much as it is about the rules of grammatical style your professor is employing. There are serveral rules that people use, MLA, ASA, Chicago Standard, New York Standard, and APA are some of the most common styles.

Ask your professor about the writing style he prefers, then I am sure once you conform to that style, you will see a lot less red ink. I first experienced this when I got a job as a contract copy writer for a health care company. Someone sent back errors on my copy, so I forwarded them photocopies out of my "Harbrace Handbook of Standard English" which was in MLA style. They sent me back some rules in Chicago Style, and I complied.

Hope that helps.

Answer 4

Technically no because "however" is a signifier of a continuation of the thought. You can use "however" to begin a sentence, but most professors I know disapprove of it being used like that.

Answer 5

It is not grammatically correct to begin a sentence with this word. However, there are exceptions.

Answer 6

there are differing schools of thought about 'however'. it is kinda old school to not let someone start a sentence with it. it is more acceptable these days though.

for simplicity, just accomodate your professor. when you are out in the real world, nobody but geeks are gonna care if you start your sentence with 'however'.

Answer 7

In some instances it can be used to start a sentence; however, when it is following a previous thought then no I don't think it is correct.

Answer 8

However you look at it, it's poor grammar to start a sentence with however when you are continuing the previous thought.

Answer 9

Yes, you can use however at the beginning of a sentence.

Answer 10

I think that the use of however makes a clause dependant, so it cannot stand alone. That is probably the problem your professor sees.