How do you punctuate however in a sentence?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

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.* It should be preceded by either a full stop or a semi colon.

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.

* So many people are under the idea that this is always wrong. I wouldn't use it in a formal setting, such as a job letter. You might be right, but if the boss thinks it's wrong, you might lose out on the job.

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)