The role/function of "however" in this sentence
Please consider the following sentence:
"After she and I had discussed the offers with several people, however, we both decided to decline."
I (now) have a better understanding of usage of "however" as a conjunctive adverb: the conjunctive adverb "describe the relation of the ideas in two clauses". Furthermore, this "describing the relation" is punctuated with a semi-colon (and not separated from the main clause by commas).
Moreover, I identify both a subordinate clause ("After she and I had discussed the offers with several people") and a main clause ("we both decided to decline"); thus, it cannot be the case that the function of "however" in the above sentence is that of a conjunctive adverb.
What is it? An interrupting phrase, perhaps?
Thanks,
Andrey
Andrey Rukhin
New member
1 answer 
The function of "however" in your sentence is definitely an interrupter. I think that, within the context of a paragraph, it would be perfectly acceptable to use "however." It will act as a stylistic connection to the previous sentence (which is probably something about the concept that the offers were positive). It acts as an interrupter, but also as a transition, connecting the previous sentence to the contrary statement in this sentence. Perfectly acceptable in my mind, as long as the previous sentence establishes context.
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answered Mar 06 '12 at 20:38
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