How do you punctuate an adverb that begins a sentence such as the word however?

You're right to ask! "However" is one of those words that often causes punctuation confusion. Here's the rule:

When "however" begins a sentence, it should be followed by a comma.

Example:

* However, the team was able to pull off a victory in the final minutes.

Why?

"However" acts as a conjunctive adverb, which means it connects two independent clauses and shows a contrasting or opposing idea. The comma helps to clearly separate the introductory phrase from the main clause.

Important Note:

If "however" is used within a sentence, it is usually set off with commas on both sides:

* The team was tired, however, they managed to score the winning goal.