Question

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."?

Answer 1

"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.