word choice - "However" vs. "but" — which is more formal?


I realize there are questions on the correct usage of "but" and "however". In this case, I am concerned with correctness in a formal context.


I have heard it said that however should be used in formal mail communications instead of but because the word "but" has a negative connotation. Which should I use in, say, an email to a client?


Examples:




  • We understand the issue you have pointed out, but we cannot consider it as a defect in the application since the current behavior was requested by your team.

  • We understand the issue you have pointed out. However, we cannot consider it as a defect in the application since the current behavior was requested by your team.




Answer



Both can be used in a formal context, but the question is not so much whether you use but or however, but whether you use one sentence or two. That to some extent depends on the style of the rest of the text, but it also depends on the extent to which you want to link failing to consider it as a defect to the understanding of the issue. The main point here is that there are still people who do not consider however to be a coordinator, so that if you do use however it is advisable to begin a new sentence with it, as in the example, and not to use it to join two clauses.


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