|
Correct use of 'however' There are two acceptable ways of using ‘however’: 1 – as an aside between two commas (parenthetic commas – commas that could be replaced by brackets without changing the flow, sense or meaning of a sentence): The first thing I did, however, was to write an example. You can completely remove the parenthetic commas and ‘however’ from this sentence and it still reads perfectly well: The first thing I did was to write an example. 2 – At the beginning of a new sentence that contradicts the previous one: I really enjoyed my day out at the theme park. However, I will not be going again as it was far too expensive and the queues for rides were too long. It is important to remember that if you wish to use ‘however’ in this sentence you must put a full stop before it (or a semi-colon ;). If you want to use a comma, follow it with ‘but’: I really enjoyed my day out at the theme park, but I will not be going again as it was far too expensive and the queues for rides were too long. Or you could use ‘although’: I really enjoyed my day out at the theme park, although I will not be going again as it was far too expensive and the queues for rides were too long.
Which or that?
Using ‘which’ instead of ‘that’ or ‘that’ instead of ‘which’ is sometimes correct. However, there are some circumstances where ‘which’ must be used, and some where ‘that’ must be used. We will also look at whether a comma should be used before ‘which’ or ‘that’. Modifying Sometimes ‘which’ introduces a modifier (‘a phrase that provides extra information or describes circumstances’ [Aitken, no date]). You cannot use ‘that’ to replace ‘which’ when it is being used as a modifier: This document, which was produced using Word, took a long time to complete. In this example you could remove both commas and their content and the sentence would still read perfectly well: This document took a long time to complete. When you use ‘which’ in this way to add further information to a sentence you must put a comma before ‘which’ and at the end of the extra information (just like you would when using brackets). Restrictive or Indicative ‘Which’ can also be used to introduce a phrase that restricts the first part of the sentence. For example: Cars which were built before 1990 did not have airbags. Apples which are rotten should not be eaten. You can in this instance use ‘that’ instead of ‘which’ if you prefer: Cars that were built before 1990 did not have airbags. Apples that are rotten should not be eaten. People and things When choosing to use ‘that’ or ‘which’ remember that ‘which’ cannot refer to people – use ‘who’ and ‘whom’ instead. ‘That’ can refer to people and things.
Sources Aitken, J. (No Date). English Grammar Notes. [Online]. Available at: http://www.jamesaitken.net/grammar.html (Accessed: 18 February 2008) Words Work. (2004). Correct use of 'however'. [Online] Available at: http://www.words-work.co.uk/topicdetails.asp?lblref=ww030&topicID=49&pic=FAQs (Accessed 18 February 2008) AskOxford. (2008). Commonly Confused Words. [Online] Available at: http://www.askoxford.com/betterwriting/classicerrors/confused/. (Accessed 15 February 2008)
|
