Among words called connectors in the English Language (including moreover, also, meanwhile and nevertheless), ‘however’ seems to have a special place. Because it is acceptable in different contexts, it is one of the most commonly used. That is why when many of us speak or write, ‘however’ often finds its way into the texts. Perhaps that is also because life usually works in contrasts, which is a major message the term relays. Whether people are happy or are embattled, they still have the cause to use it:
I am very excited at your performance. However, we still have one or two things to discuss.
Things are extremely expensive in the country now. However, we give thanks to God for empowering us to be able to cope.
The object of today’s lesson is to sharpen how we use the comma with ‘however’, especially when it expresses a contrast. But, before we go into that, we must note that the word has other uses. For instance, it can also indicate a surprise, especially in the form of a question. Consider this example:
However did Jude manage to travel amid the COVID-19 restriction?
The word can also mean despite whatever amount or degree:
However hard we pray before elections, we don’t seem to get the right leaders elected.
It can mean in whatever way one feels about or does something:
However you look at it, the country still has a long way to go.
In the above three cases, it is arguably easy to put the comma in the right places. In the first example, because it is part of the main and only clause, there is no need to separate it with any punctuation mark. It will, as a result, be absurd to say ‘However, did INEC manage to convince the contestants about the need to use BVAS?’ Well, if used that way, the sentence will mean a different thing entirely, suggesting not being sure whether or not INEC was able to get the thing done, whereas the intended meaning is to ask how the commission already got it done.
But in the other two sentences, ‘however’ is used to introduce the subordinate clauses. In other words, there are two clauses in each of them: the main clause and the subordinate. Consider this:
Subordinate clause: However how hard we pray before elections…
Main clause: We don’t seem to get the right leaders elected.
Yet, in both cases, the comma only separates the subordinate clause from the main one; it does not separate ‘however’ from the word that follows it. So, this is not the real situation we are examining, which is what we have below.
Compulsory commas
This leads us to the point where the comma is required with the connector. Here, care must always be taken because many people mishandle the structure. When ‘however’ is used to state a contrast or a departure from what has been said before, either in the preceding sentence or paragraph, a comma is needed after the word:
I have my fears. However, I believe all will be well.
They made some major investment mistakes. However, they have no cause for regret.
Double commas
It is also still relatively easy to handle the elements when ‘however’ is used at the beginning of the sentence as we have in the above examples. But when it is taken to the middle of it, the structure becomes intriguing. While it may not be compulsory to use the comma at all, once you decide to use it – and this is the commonest practice and the style I recommend as it aids clarity – you should ensure you separate it with two commas:
The man who arrived late, however eventually got the job. (Wrong)
The man who arrived late, however eventually got the job. (Wrong)
The man who arrived late, however, eventually got the job. (Correct)
Always watch the structure and ensure you put both commas (and not one) whenever you take the ‘however’ to the middle of the clause.
As a matter of fact, you need to treat other words, phrases or clauses positioned in such a spot the same way:
Ngozi, indeed won my heart with her presentation. (Wrong)
Ngozi indeed, won my heart with her presentation. (Wrong)
Ngozi, indeed, won my heart with her presentation. (Correct)
Ngozi, as a matter of fact won my heart with her presentation. (Wrong)
Ngozi as a matter of fact, won my heart with her presentation. (Wrong)
Ngozi, as a matter of fact, won my heart with her presentation. (Correct)
Ngozi, after all said and done won my heart with her presentation. (Wrong)
Ngozi after all said and done, won my heart with her presentation. (Wrong)
Ngozi, after all said and done, won my heart with her presentation. (Correct)
