A semicolon before "however" and the comma afterward is the accepted punctuation when "however" connects 2 independent clauses. For example: "In college, she explored and refined this fascination; however, her personal life would not sit still for her art. "However" can be set off with a comma or commas when it introduces an independent clause or if it is used as a conjunction to connect an independent clause with a dependent clause. An example where 2 commas would be appropriate: Not all viruses, however, straighten themselves out.
This is a tricky area because many people get it wrong. "However" shouldn't be placed between two commas, which is how it is often seen.*
Here are some examples of how to punctuate "however" in a sentence.
- It was a very hot day; however, the pool was closed, so they could not cool down.
- This is an interesting fact. However, it is not true.
*
However is used in 2 ways. Either as a conjunctive or when it represents a comparative.
Comparative: If you use however at the beginning of a sentence and don't insert a comma, however means "in whatever manner" or "to whatever extent."
- "What follows is based on actual occurrences. However, it should in no way be associated with that great body of factual information relating to orthodox Zen Buddhist practice." - Robert Pirsig wrote this in the introduction to the book Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
- "It is a great deal easier to go down hill than up. However, they kept on, with unabated perseverance." - Charles Dickens wrote this in Nicholas Nickleby
Conjunctive: However is followed by a comma. The comma is important because however is a conjunctive adverb that can be used in two different ways: it can be a conjunction that joins main clauses, or it can be an adverb that modifies a clause. To make it a little more clear, but and because are other examples of conjunctives. When you put however in the middle of a sentence like this, it should be surrounded by commas.
- "Love, however, is very materially assisted by a warm and active imagination." - Charles Dickens wrote this in Nicholas Nickleby
- "The chief weapon of sea pirates, however, was their capacity to astonish. Nobody else could believe, until it was too late, how heartless and greedy they were." - Breakfast of Champions, Kurt Vonnegut www.quotationspage.com/quote/35408.html
- "Science in the modern world has many uses; its chief use, however, is to provide long words to cover the errors of the rich." - (G.K. Chesterton)
I will punctuate this sentence.
Q: "How do you punctuate this sentence? "i see a horse do you" A: I see a horse, do you? That is how you correct it, or punctuate.
She does, however, have a seizure disorder.
"Was there something wrong with me?" I wondered.
Oh, how cute; you are a comedian.
I will punctuate this sentence.
You must punctuate every sentence. You will learn to correctly punctuate sentences when you learn the types of sentences.
However, you could say that TUI is innovative.
Q: "How do you punctuate this sentence? "i see a horse do you" A: I see a horse, do you? That is how you correct it, or punctuate.
No it is not a rule. You should punctuate as normal.
You must punctuate every sentence. You will learn to correctly punctuate sentences when you learn the types of sentences.
I do, however, request that I be allowed to work part-time.
Simple: You are angry that you lost your purple pen, however, you are not worried; you have a stack of them.
You end an interrogative sentence with a question mark(?).
Some students could not write, spell or punctuate simple sentences.
Joe watered the garden; however, the plants did not grow.
My teacher told me to punctuate my sentence correctly because it was incorrect it was wrong M teacher told me to punctuate the end of a sentence with a period, question or exclamation mark to make the sentence easier to understand.