Zen In A Sentence

You can start a sentence with 'however,' but you need to be careful. And what about 'and' and 'but'?

1. Zen Buddhism In A Sentence
2. Use It In A Sentence Dictionary

432 quotes from Confucius: 'By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.' , 'Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.' , and 'It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.' Mini the Puppy Cosmic Kids Zen Den 🌈 Watch our videos ad-free on the Cosmic Kids app: Subscribe to the Cosmic Kids YouTube cha. . The following sentence examples have been gathered from multiple sources to keep up with the current times, none of them represent the opinions of Word Game Dictionary Write your own sentence example for Zen and get creative, maybe even funny.

Zen Buddhism In A Sentence

1. Zen was the master computer aboard the Liberator (formerly Deep Space Vehicle 2), the highly advanced spacecraft used by Blake and the others initially to escape from and then attack the Federation. The voice of Zen was provided by Peter Tuddenham (in the B7 audio series and Big Finish Productions audio series, Zen is voiced by Alistair Lock).
2. Composed definition: 1. Calm and in control of your emotions: 2. Calm and in control of your emotions:.

Today's topic is how to use the word however in a sentence. It's probably more complicated than you think it is.

Can You Start a Sentence with the Word 'However'?

The question I get asked most frequently about however is whether it is OK to use however at the beginning of a sentence, and the answer is yes: it is fine to start a sentence with however. You just need to know when to use a comma and when to use a semicolon.

'However' Without a Comma: Modifier

Use It In A Sentence Dictionary

The comma is important because however is a conjunctive adverb that can be used in two different ways: it can join main clauses and it can modify a clause.

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If you use however at the beginning of a sentence and don't insert a comma, however means “in whatever manner,” “to whatever extent,” or “no matter how.”

For instance, Winston Churchill said, “However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results,” and for those of you who like more modern examples, on the TV show House, Dr. Foreman said, “However bad you think you’re going to be in that room, not being there is worse.”

In both those cases, however isn't playing a role as a conjunction. It's not joining anything to anything else. It means “no matter how.” “However bad you think you’re going to be” and “No matter how bad you think you’re going to be” mean the same thing. I don't think anyone has ever disputed starting a sentence with however when it is used that way.

'However' with a Comma: Connector

On the other hand, Strunk and White did say in their book, The Elements of Style, that you shouldn't start a sentence with however when you mean “nevertheless” or “but.”

They’re referring to sentences such as this one from Charles Dickens’ Nicholas Nickleby, “It is a great deal easier to go down hill than up. However, they kept on, with unabated perseverance,” and this more modern example from the 2009 “Star Trek” movie in which Spock says, “I intend to assist in the effort to reestablish communication with Starfleet. However, if crew morale is better served by my roaming the halls weeping, I will gladly defer to your medical expertise.”

In these examples, however is acting as a connector. It’s providing a transition from the previous sentence to the next sentence.

I know many of you revere Strunk and White, but this is one instance in which nearly all modern style guides have decided that the classic advice is unreasonable. The modern style guides don’t call starting a sentence with however an error. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

Here's why: when you put a comma after however at the beginning of a sentence, everyone knows it means “nevertheless.” There's no reason to outlaw a perfectly reasonable use of the word when you can solve the problem with a comma. Some writers have even gone so far as to say it is preferable to start sentences with however instead of burying the word in the middle of a sentence, because putting it at the beginning makes the connection between sentences more clear and therefore makes the text easier to scan. (8)

Starting a Sentence with 'But' Instead of 'However'

And here’s something that may surprise you even more: modern sources such as The Chicago Manual of Style, Garner’s Modern American Usage, and others say that although it isn’t wrong to start a sentence with however (9, 10, 11), it’s usually better to start a sentence with but. Yes, many of you were probably also taught that it’s wrong to start a sentence with a conjunction such as and and but, but that’s a myth too.

After saying it’s not an error to start a sentence with however, Chicago goes on to add “however is more ponderous and has less impact than the simple but,” and Garner’s sentiment is also that it is more effective to start a sentence with but or yet than however.

They would probably prefer that Spock told Bones, “I intend to assist in the effort to reestablish communication with Starfleet. But if crew morale is better served by my roaming the halls weeping, I will gladly defer to your medical expertise.” On the other hand, you also have to consider the style, and you could argue that however is a better fit for a character such as Spock precisely because it sounds more ponderous.

When to Avoid Starting a Sentence with 'However'

Even though it's not wrong to start a sentence with however, sometimes it’s still a good idea to avoid it because a lot of people think it's wrong. I don’t advise starting a sentence with however in a cover letter for a job application, for example. You don’t want your resume to get dumped because someone thinks you’ve made a mistake when you really haven’t.

How to Use Semicolons with 'However'

If you want to avoid starting a sentence with however, it's not hard to do—just grab a semicolon and use it to connect your two main clauses. What I mean is that instead of putting a period at the end of the sentence before the however, put a semicolon there instead.

For example, let’s take this sentence from Robert Pirsig’s introduction to the book Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: “What follows is based on actual occurrences. However, it should in no way be associated with that great body of factual information relating to orthodox Zen Buddhist practice.” He just as easily could have put a semicolon in place of the period and written, “What follows is based on actual occurrences; however, it should in no way be associated with that great body of factual information relating to orthodox Zen Buddhist practice.”

Voilà. With the semicolon, you no longer have a however at the beginning of a sentence.

Conjunctive Adverbs and Semicolons

You put a semicolon before other conjunctive adverbs when they connect main clauses too. For example, you’d put a semicolon before the words consequently, moreover, nevertheless, still, and therefore in similar sentences. They’d each be followed by a comma too.

• It rained; consequently, the party was canceled.
• You have to come to the party. I bought balloons; moreover, I bought cake.
• I don’t trust him; nevertheless, we still have to work together.
• The house seems expensive; still, it’s the cheapest house available right now.
• I hate marshmallows; therefore, I hate s’mores.

How to Use 'However' in the Middle of a Sentence

You can also bury a however that means “nevertheless” in the middle of your sentence. You might do this to avoid using it at the beginning when you are insecure about your audience, or you might do it because it makes sense with the rhythm of your sentence. Garner and Chicago both say using however is a good way to add emphasis to the part that comes next. For example, Dickens buried the however in this sentence from Nicholas Nickleby: “Love, however, is very materially assisted by a warm and active imagination.” When you put however in the middle of a sentence like this, it should be surrounded by commas. Here's another example: in Breakfast of Champions, Kurt Vonnegut wrote, “The chief weapon of sea pirates, however, was their capacity to astonish. Nobody else could believe, until it was too late, how heartless and greedy they were.” Again, put a comma before and after however when you use it in the middle of a sentence this way. This is one area where people get confused because sometimes you need a semicolon before however in the middle of a long sentence and sometimes you need a comma before however in the middle of a long sentence. Just remember that you only use the semicolon when you are joining two main clauses and the however just happens to be in the way shouting “nevertheless.” As I said in the episode on semicolons, think of a semicolon as a sentence splicer—it splices together two main clauses. So remember, don't let anyone tell you that it's wrong to start a sentence with however. On the other hand, it might be a good idea to avoid the practice if you're applying for a job since a lot of people mistakenly believe that it is wrong, and it's often more effective to use the simpler word 'but.' Mind your commas and semicolons, and don't use any punctuation after however when you use it to mean “in whatever manner,” “to whatever extent,” or 'no matter how.'

References

1. 'however.' Dictionary.com. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language. Fourth Edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. dictionary.reference.com/browse/however (accessed: May 26, 2007).
2. Aaron, J. The Little, Brown Essential Handbook. New York: Pearson Education, 2006, p. 71, p. 231.
3. Scharton, M. and Neuleib, J. Things Your Grammar Never Told You. Second edition. New York: Pearson Education, 2001, p. 77.
4. Spina, G. The Mountain Man's Field Guide to Grammar. Naperville: Sourcebooks, 2006, p.221.
5. Hacker, D. “However at the beginning of a sentence.” The Language Debates. www.dianahacker.com/rules/subpages_language/however.html (accessed May 26, 2007).
6. Garner, B. “however” Garner’s Modern American Usage, 3rd edition.Oxford University Press. 2009.
7. “Beginning a sentence with ‘however’” The Chicago Manual of Style, 16th edition. 5.207. http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/16/ch05/ch05_sec207.html (accessed January 31, 2013)
8. Henning, K. “Writing for Readers Who Scan.” The Click Z Network. February 6, 2001. www.clickz.com/showPage.html?page=836621 (accessed May 26,2007).
9. Stilman, A. Grammatically Correct. Cincinnati: Writer's Digest Books, 2004, p. 262.
10. Lutz, G. and Stevenson, D. Grammar Desk Reference. Cincinnati: Writer's Digest Books, 2005, p.42.
11. Nordquist, R. 'But'--It's a Wonderful Word.' About.com Grammar and Composition. August 4, 2008. http://is.gd/1nTG (accessed August 10, 2008).

“Semicolons with Conjunctive Adverbs” Pearson Education Online Handbook. http://wps.ablongman.com/long_longman_ohb_1/27/7023/1798009.cw/content/index.html (accessed January 31, 2013)

Web Bonus: Extra Examples

However (“to whatever extent” or “in whatever manner”) starting a sentence

Let them be. Let them lie unspoken of, in his breast. However distinctly or indistinctly he entertained these thoughts, he arrived at the conclusion, Let them be. Among the mighty store of wonderful chains that are for ever forging, day and night, in the vast iron-works of time and circumstance, there was one chain forged in the moment of that small conclusion, riveted to the foundations of heaven and earth, and gifted with invincible force to hold and drag. Charles Dickens, The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

However (“nevertheless”) starting a sentence

However, never daunted, I will cope with adversity in my traditional manner ... sulking and nausea. Tom K. Ryan (Creator of the Tumbleweeds comic strip)

However (“to whatever extent” or “in whatever manner”) in the middle of a sentence

I have learned never to ridicule any man's opinion, however strange it may seem. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Captain of the Polestar. If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. Henry David Thoreau, Walden. How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth? Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, (Sherlock Holmes) The Sign of Four. A bear, however hard he tries, grows tubby without exercise. Pooh's Little Instruction Book, inspired by A. A. Milne. Every author, however modest, keeps a most outrageous vanity chained like a madman in the padded cell of his breast. Logan Pearsall Smith. The moment a man sets his thoughts down on paper, however secretly, he is in a sense writing for publication. Raymond Chandler.

However (“nevertheless”) in the middle of a sentence with commas

There are, it has been said, two types of people in the world. There are those who, when presented with a glass that is exactly half full, say: this glass is half full. And then there are those who say: this glass is half empty. The world belongs, however, to those who can look at the glass and say: What's up with this glass? Excuse me? Excuse me? This is my glass? I don't think so. My glass was full! And it was a bigger glass! Terry Pratchett, The Truth.

This is an update of an article that originally appeared May 29, 2007.

By Zen Soo
Hong Kong, Apr 16 (AP) A Hong Kong court on Friday sentenced five leading pro-democracy advocates, including media tycoon Jimmy Lai, to up to 18 months in prison for organising and participating in a massive march during 2019 anti-government protests that triggered an overwhelming crackdown from Beijing.
A total of nine advocates were given jail terms, but four of them, including 82-year-old lawyer and former lawmaker Martin Lee, had their sentences suspended after their age and accomplishments were taken into consideration.
They were found guilty earlier this month of organising and participating in a massive protest in August 2019, where an estimated 1.7 million people marched in opposition to a bill that would have allowed suspects to be extradited to mainland China. The march was not authorised by the police.
Their convictions and sentencing are another blow to the city's flagging democracy movement, which is facing an unprecedented crackdown by Beijing and Hong Kong authorities. The sentences were swiftly met with international criticism.
The court suspended the 11-month prison sentence of Lee, who is known for his advocacy for human rights and democracy, for two years because of his age.
Lai, the founder of Hong Kong's Apple Daily tabloid, was sentenced to a total of 14 months in prison Friday for charges related to demonstration on Aug. 18, 2019, and a separate unauthorized march on Aug. 31, 2019.
Lai was also slapped with two additional charges Friday, one under the national security law accusing him of conspiring to collude with foreign powers and another accusing him of helping local activists to escape the city.
Prior to sentencing, Lai was already being held on other charges, including a previous charge of foreign collusion to intervene in the city's affairs — a new crime under a sweeping national security law that Beijing imposed on the city in 2020.
Lee Cheuk-yan, a pro-democracy activist and former lawmaker who helped organize annual candlelight vigils in Hong Kong on the anniversary of the bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989, was sentenced to a total of 14 months in prison for his participation in the the two August 2019 marches.
Lawyers Albert Ho and Margaret Ng both had their 12-month jail sentences suspended for two years. Former lawmaker Leung Kwok-hung was sentenced to 18 months, while another former legislator, Cyd Ho, was given a jail sentence of eight months.
Two other former lawmakers, Au Nok-hin and Leung Yiu-chung, who previously pleaded guilty, were also given jail sentences. Au got 10 months while Leung's eight-month jail term was suspended for one year.
In a separate case, former lawmaker Yeung Sum, was sentenced alongside Lai and Lee Cheuk-yan for their participation in the unauthorized assembly on Aug. 31, 2019, although his eight-month sentence was suspended for a year.
“I'm ready to face the penalty and sentencing and I'm proud that I can walk with the people of Hong Kong for this democracy,” Lee Cheuk-yan said ahead of the court session, as supporters held up signs condemning political persecution. “We will walk together even in darkness, we will walk with hope in our hearts.” Hong Kong had enjoyed a vibrant political culture and freedoms not seen elsewhere in China during the decades it was a British colony.
Beijing had pledged to allow the city to retain civil liberties for 50 years after it was handed to Chinese rule in 1997, but recently has ushered in a series of measures, including the national security legislation and electoral reforms that many fear are a step closer to making Hong Kong no different from mainland cities.
Under the new rules, Hong Kong residents can be held liable for any speech or action deemed secessionist, subversive, terrorist or perceived as colluding with hostile foreign political groups or individuals. Electoral changes mean just 20 out of 90 Legislative Council members will be directly elected and Beijing will retain even tighter control over the body that picks Hong Kong's future chief executives.
Hong Kong's last British governor, Chris Patten, said that the Chinese Communist Party's “comprehensive assault” on freedoms of Hong Kong and its rule of law remains relentless.
“This week, we have witnessed some of the most distinguished of the city's peaceful and moderate champions of liberty and democracy placed in Beijing's vengeful sights,” he said in a statement. “The CCP simply does not understand that you cannot bludgeon and incarcerate people into loving a totalitarian and corrupt regime.'
Amnesty International's Asia-Pacific regional director, Yamini Mishra, said the sentences handed down Friday underlined the government's intention to “eliminate all political opposition” in Hong Kong.
“Having arrested the majority of Hong Kong's most prominent dissidents using the repressive national security law, the authorities are now mopping up remaining peaceful critics under the pretext of bogus charges related to the 2019 protests,” Mishra said. (AP)
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