But vs However: What’s the Difference?

In the English language, we use different parts of speech to convey our complete thoughts. These parts help us to show uniqueness under different circumstances. And when it concerns the expression of exception, we come to words like but and however, the topic we are covering today.

The words like but and however are very often confused by people to be the same. While they may be interchangeably usable because both help us convey an exception, they are not of the same kind. Both have different uses and structures.

But vs However

But

But is a conjunction that means similar to although. Since it is a conjunction, it is used to join clauses. And whenever we use the word but, it is accompanied with a comma in order to split the two clauses and show their division. Also, it is necessary to note that but is usually not used at the beginning of a sentence.

• I wrote the letter, but I am not very confident about it.

However

On the other hand, however, is a conjunctive adverb. Though it carries the same meaning as but, which is similar to although, it is used differently.

However is usually placed at the beginning of a sentence and is followed after the period that completes the first clause, unlike but. And it also joins two clauses but especially independent clauses.

• She is ready. However, I feel very dizzy.

So, these are the basic difference between the two. Both have the same meaning but different usage.