On my essay format I can't begin sentences with conjunctions such as "but, and, or, nor, for, so yet." Would using however in this sentence make it a conjunction: "However, he was unable to control his emotions which lead to his own defeat."?

1 Answer
Jun 14, 2016

"However" is generally classed as an adverb; in this case you seem to be attempting to use it as a synonym for "but", a conjunction. In order to comply with the restrictions, I would avoid this form.

Explanation:

Alternatives:

However he tried, he was unable to control his emotions which lead to his own defeat.
color(white)("XXX")Here "however" is clearly an adverb introducing the phrase.

He, however, was unable to control his emotions which lead to his own defeat.
color(white)("XXX")We bypass the restriction on the first word.