Comma Before or After However | Explanation & Examples

When the word however is used to mean “but”, it is functioning as a conjunctive adverb.

To decide how to use commas with however when it is used like this, you need to think about its position in the sentence or clause.

Examples: Comma before or after however
Start of sentence/clause Inflation is relatively high. However, other economic signs are positive.
Inflation is relatively high; however, other economic signs are positive.
Middle of sentence/clause Inflation is relatively high. Other economic signs, however, are positive.
End of sentence/clause Inflation is relatively high. Other economic signs are positive, however.
Note
We have to think about similar considerations to decide whether to use a comma before “which,” a comma before “such as,” and a comma before “too.”

However with independent clauses

If you use however to show contrast between two independent clauses, then you separate the clauses with a semicolon, not a comma. Or you can use two sentences. You also need to put a comma after however.

Examples: Connecting independent clauses with however
Using a semicolon:

  • The model numbers were the same; however, they were two different products.
  • The model numbers were the same, however, they were two different products.

Using two sentences:

  • The model numbers were the same. However, they were two different products.

Therefore, in situations like this, however is punctuated differently to “but” (otherwise you create a comma splice).

When “but” links two independent clauses, it only has a comma before it (e.g., “The model numbers were the same, but they were two different products”)

However in the middle of clauses

You need to put a comma before and after however when you use it in the middle of a sentence or clause.

Examples: Commas before and after however
  • This is a great achievement. We do, however, still have a lot of work to do.
  • This is a great achievement. We do however still have a lot of work to do.
  • This is a great achievement. We do however, still have a lot of work to do.
  • This is a great achievement. We do, however still have a lot of work to do.
Tip
Using however like this to interrupt the sentence creates a dramatic pause that emphasizes the contrast with the last sentence. Be aware of this effect and be careful not to overuse it.

However at the end of clauses

We can put however at the end of a clause or sentence with a comma before it.

Examples: Comma before however at the end of a sentence
  • This fact was not relevant, however.
  • This fact was not relevant however.
Tip
However is commonly used in this position in speech. In your writing, it’s best to only use it at the end of a sentence for a particular reason. For instance, if you want to emphasize the information at the beginning of the sentence:

“This fact was not relevant, however.” [i.e. other facts could well be relevant]

However vs but

But and however both create contrast between clauses or sentences, but they are punctuated differently because they have different grammatical functions.

  • But is a coordinating conjunction (along with “or” and “and”)
  • However is a conjunctive adverb when it is used like “but” (such as “as a result,” “therefore,” and “moreover”)

You need to put a comma after a conjunctive adverb (unless it comes at the end of a sentence). But you don’t usually need to put a comma after a coordinating conjunction.

Examples: Comma after however; no comma after but
  • I liked math at school. However, I wasn’t very good at it.
  • I liked math at school. However I wasn’t very good at it.
  • I liked math at school. But I wasn’t very good at it.
  • I liked math at school. But, I wasn’t very good at it.
Note
The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you ensure you’re using commas with but correctly.

However to mean “no matter how”

However can also be used at the beginning of an dependent clause to mean “no matter how,” where the however clause emphasizes an aspect of how a situation cannot be changed. Here, there is no comma after however. But if the however clause is in the middle of the sentence, there is usually a comma before it.

Examples: However used to mean “no matter how”
However you look at it, it’s a huge problem.

I never seemed to get any better at the piano, however much I practiced.

However experienced you are, there’s always something new to learn in this job.

The costs will be very significant, however the government decides to implement this policy.

However is also used to mean “in whatever way” to modify the verb directly before it. Here, there is never a comma before however. And however is always in the middle of the sentence or clause (it doesn’t make sense if you try to put the however clause at the start).

Examples: However used to mean “in whatever way”
We can present the results however we want.

Cash is better than gift certificates because you can spend the money however you like.

Questions beginning with however

We can use however like an interrogative adverb to express surprise in a question. Here, it functions like “how”, so you don’t put a comma after it.

Examples: However used to express surprise in a question
However do you always choose such wonderful birthday presents?

He’s not a bad actor, but however did he manage to win the oscar?

Be careful when using “however” like this in academic writing because the dramatic emphasis it creates may not be appropriate. The QuillBot Paraphraser can help you rephrase your sentences to reflect your intended meaning.

Frequently asked questions about commas before or after however

Is however an adverb?

Yes, however can be classified as an adverb when used as follows:

Use Example
As a conjunctive adverb to mean “but” It is currently designated as agricultural land. However, this could change next year when new legislation is introduced.
To introduce a dependent clause to mean “no matter how” It needs to be finished today however long it takes.
Like an interrogative adverb to express surprise in a question However could you possibly think that?

You may need to include a comma before or after “however” depending on how and where it is used in a sentence.

Do you use a comma or semicolon before however?

Both are possible when however is used as a conjunctive adverb to mean “but.”

We put a semicolon before however when it is showing contrast between two independent clauses (e.g., “We have not reached our goal; however, we are only at the beginning of our journey”).

We put a comma before however when it is used at the beginning or at the end of a sentence or clause (e.g. “We are, however, only at the beginning,” “We are only at the beginning, however”).

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Tom Challenger, BA

Tom holds a teaching diploma and is an experienced English language teacher, teacher trainer, and translator. He has taught university courses and worked as a teacher trainer on Cambridge CELTA courses.