Writing and Grammar - Although & However & But

Although, however, but and and

"Although"describes a situation which is opposition. Two subordinate clauses are used to indicate two things that oppose each other. It is usually in the middle of the sentence but it can be at the beginning.

Example:
Although the sun was very hot, she didn't get a sunburn.

He failed his exam although he studied for weeks.

However
"However contrasts what is in the rest of the sentence. Like therefore, moreover, and as a matter of fact, however is a "transitional expression" that "bridges between sentences or parts of sentences." (Hacker, Diana. A Canadian Writer's Reference. 199.)

"Hitler attempted to conquer the Soviet Union; however, he was defeated. (The Book of Common Errors in English; 451.)

But and and
"But" and "and" are coordinating conjunctions that appear in the middle of sentences. Coordination is used to give equal emphasis to both parts of the sentence. "And" exist to clauses and nouns to a sentence. But is used to show opposition in ideas. Technically, neither "and" nor "but" should be placed at the beginning of sentences.

Example:
The civilization of Greece gave birth to democracy but they practiced slavery. (see: The Book of Common Errors. 132.)

Among the animals found in Northern Ontario are the moose, the bear, the racoon, the fox and the bobcat.