How should you use a semicolon with words like however?One of the most common ways to use a semicolon is with a word like however: Our new computers are faster than the old ones; however, we've already paid for the old ones. Notice that the example still follows the rule you just learned: separate two sentences with a semicolon. The difference is that there's now a word (however) that explicitly tells how the two sentences are related. Some people always put a period or semicolon before a word like however, but that can be wrong. Notice that the word however can move in the second sentence: Our new computers are faster than the old ones; however, we've already paid for the old ones. Our new computers are faster than the old ones; we've already paid, however, for the old ones. Our new computers are faster than the old ones; we've already paid for the old ones, however. Even though however moves, the semicolon stays put—it stays where one sentence ends and the other begins. Remember that the semicolon is like a point of balance, separating similar grammatical units (in this case, two sentences). Here are some other words like however: as a result, consequently, first, furthermore, in fact, moreover, nevertheless, otherwise, therefore, unfortunately And there are many more! |