I love grammar; however,...
I've graded my share of student papers through the years, and if someone asked me what the most common grammatical errors were in those papers, I would have to rank this one in the top five. Adults (who didn't heed the advice of their teachers) still make this mistake in their writing. They insist that the word however always be surrounded with commas. I suppose this is, in part, the result of teachers who admonish their pupils to set off transitional (nonessential) expressions and independent comments with commas. I think it also relates to our insecurity with that smallest (and most maddening) of punctuation marks. When we don't know the rules for commas usage, we figure that it's better to be safe than sorry, and, therefore, we sprinkle our writing with unnecessary commas.
The Rule
It is true that when used as a transitional expression, however is set off by commas. If however appears at the beginning of a sentence, the comma follows it; if it comes at the end of the sentence, the comma precedes it. This usually doesn't present a problem. The trouble comes when it is placed in the middle of a sentence.
As long as however is truly a transitional expression, use two commas to set it off from the rest of the sentence. This tells the reader that it isn't necessary to the meaning of the sentence. For example: "If Bob changes his mind, however, he will have to notify us." We could take out however, and this sentence would still make sense.
HOWEVER...
If however is used as a conjunctive adverb that separates two independent clauses, it isn't enough to flank it with commas. You must first use a semicolon to separate the two clauses and then insert a comma after however. For example: "Grady practiced his free throws; however, he missed all of his attempts during the game."
Look at the difference in the two sample sentences without however:
"If Bob changes his mind, he will have to notify us."
"Grady practiced his free throws; he missed all of his lay ups."
See the difference? The second sentence contains two independent clauses; the first does not. However does not change the fact that a semicolon is needed between those clauses.
THEREFORE...
Of course, the same applies for other words (moreover, namely, therefore, consequently, etc.). Just remember that if the word is separating two independent clauses, it must have a semicolon before it and a comma after it. If it is not separating two independent clauses and is only being used as a nonessential transition, then, by all means, stick those commas all around.
Practice, Practice, Practice (put the proper punctuation in these sentences)
1. In the morning however nothing was done.
2. She doesn't swim often however I think she'll eventually get the hang of it.
3. They told us we could use the building however I think we should get it in writing.
4. Let me say however that I think very highly of her.
5. Bob will do the right thing however his sister will not.
Answers:
1. In the morning, however, nothing was done.
2. She doesn't swim often; however, I think she'll eventually get the hang of it.
3. They told us we could use the building; however, I think we should get it in writing.
4. Let me say, however, that I think very highly of her.
5. Bob will do the right thing; however, his sister will not.
I've graded my share of student papers through the years, and if someone asked me what the most common grammatical errors were in those papers, I would have to rank this one in the top five. Adults (who didn't heed the advice of their teachers) still make this mistake in their writing. They insist that the word however always be surrounded with commas. I suppose this is, in part, the result of teachers who admonish their pupils to set off transitional (nonessential) expressions and independent comments with commas. I think it also relates to our insecurity with that smallest (and most maddening) of punctuation marks. When we don't know the rules for commas usage, we figure that it's better to be safe than sorry, and, therefore, we sprinkle our writing with unnecessary commas.
The Rule
It is true that when used as a transitional expression, however is set off by commas. If however appears at the beginning of a sentence, the comma follows it; if it comes at the end of the sentence, the comma precedes it. This usually doesn't present a problem. The trouble comes when it is placed in the middle of a sentence.
As long as however is truly a transitional expression, use two commas to set it off from the rest of the sentence. This tells the reader that it isn't necessary to the meaning of the sentence. For example: "If Bob changes his mind, however, he will have to notify us." We could take out however, and this sentence would still make sense.
HOWEVER...
If however is used as a conjunctive adverb that separates two independent clauses, it isn't enough to flank it with commas. You must first use a semicolon to separate the two clauses and then insert a comma after however. For example: "Grady practiced his free throws; however, he missed all of his attempts during the game."
Look at the difference in the two sample sentences without however:
"If Bob changes his mind, he will have to notify us."
"Grady practiced his free throws; he missed all of his lay ups."
See the difference? The second sentence contains two independent clauses; the first does not. However does not change the fact that a semicolon is needed between those clauses.
THEREFORE...
Of course, the same applies for other words (moreover, namely, therefore, consequently, etc.). Just remember that if the word is separating two independent clauses, it must have a semicolon before it and a comma after it. If it is not separating two independent clauses and is only being used as a nonessential transition, then, by all means, stick those commas all around.
Practice, Practice, Practice (put the proper punctuation in these sentences)
1. In the morning however nothing was done.
2. She doesn't swim often however I think she'll eventually get the hang of it.
3. They told us we could use the building however I think we should get it in writing.
4. Let me say however that I think very highly of her.
5. Bob will do the right thing however his sister will not.
Answers:
1. In the morning, however, nothing was done.
2. She doesn't swim often; however, I think she'll eventually get the hang of it.
3. They told us we could use the building; however, I think we should get it in writing.
4. Let me say, however, that I think very highly of her.
5. Bob will do the right thing; however, his sister will not.
posted by Sonya at
11:12 AM
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