Common Mistakes : Anyhow

adverb

BAD: Those students who pass are given an intermediate certificate. Anyhow, the examination is far from easy

GOOD: Those students who pass are given an intermediate certificate. However, the examination is far from easy

BAD: Unfortunately, the beach is not white and sandy. Anyway, it is seldom crowded and we can enjoy the sea

GOOD: Unfortunately, the beach is not white and sandy. On the other hand, it is seldom crowded and we can enjoy the sea

BAD: I’m sorry that I won’t be able to attend your wedding. Anyway, I would like to give you something for your new home

GOOD: I’m sorry that I won’t be able to attend your wedding. Nevertheless, I would like to give you something for your new home

Anyhow and anyway are used to connect sentences only in informal styles (NOT in essays, written reports, etc). Their main uses are

to show that you are about to return to the main topic or story line  –

Anyway, as soon as the plane landed he was rushed off to hospital and that was the last I saw of him

 to show that your next point is just as important or relevant as your last one  –

In any case, I’m too busy to play tennis this afternoon. Anyhow, it looks like it’s going to rain

For reasons of style and logic, anyhow and anyway cannot be used in place of however, on the other hand or nevertheless