📝 Mastering when “;” is before or after however, though, etc.
The answer choices in the question below seem strange. There are colons after “however” as in “, however;”
You might automatically eliminate those, thinking colons belong before “however” as in “; however.”
That seems logical. It isn’t always the answer to eliminate, however; below I explain why.
The house had an outdated kitchen. The location was excellent ______ it sold within a few days.
Choices:
A. , however,
B. ; however,
C. , however;
D. ; although
✅ C is correct.
Here’s what’s happening:
- First clause:
The house had an outdated kitchen. - Second clause:
The location was excellent, however;
→ Here, “however” modifies this second clause, showing contrast with the outdated kitchen. - Third clause:
it sold within a few days.
Mentally, move the “however” to the beginning of the clause. That’s where it usually appears.
Original choice C: The house had an outdated kitchen. The location was excellent, however; it sold within a few days.
Move the however in choice C: The house had an outdated kitchen. However, the location was excellent; it sold within a few days.
In this construction, “however” contrasts the excellence of the location with the outdated kitchen, not with the house selling quickly.
When “however” appears within a clause (whether in the beginning, middle or end of the clause), it logically contrasts the clause before the however.
It’s not setting up contrast with the next clause — it’s resolving the prior contrast.
✅ Example structure:
- Clause 1. Clause 2, however; (contrasts clause 1). Clause 3 (continues story, not contrast).
Alternatively:
- Clause 1. Clause 2 (continues story, not contrast); however, Clause 3 (contrasts clause 2).
🔍 Short summary:
👉 If “however” is at the beginning, inside or at the end of a clause (no matter where it appears), it shows contrast with the previous clause, not the next one.
🎯 Practice Questions:
1. Luis enjoys history books. The last history book he read generated no enthusiasm in ______ even though he had lost his interest in history.
- A. him; however, he
- B. him, however; he
- C. him: however, he
- D. him, however, he
✅ Answer: B
2. Wei enjoys many outdoor activities. He especially enjoys __________ that he’s 95, he hikes far less often.
- A. hiking, however; now
- B. hiking, however, now
- C. hiking; however, now
- D. hiking: However, now
✅ Answer: C
3. The budget was tight. The marketing team had planned carefully ______ the client approved a revised strategy.
- A. , therefore,
- B. , therefore;
- C. ; therefore,
- D. : therefore
✅ Answer: B
(The tight budget caused them to plan carefully.)
4. The meal was expensive; the service was slow ______ the view from the restaurant was breathtaking.
- A. , though;
- B. . Though,
- C. , however;
- D. , because,
✅ Answer: B
✅ Bookmark this guide next time you’re unsure whether to use a comma, semicolon, or “however” in your writing!
Quick Tip: You know you have this type of question when the semicolon is moving around different places in the answer chocie.
