Does a comma come before or after “however”? This is a common question among English language learners and writers. Understanding the correct usage of “however” in a sentence is crucial for maintaining clarity and grammatical correctness. In this article, we will explore the rules and provide examples to help you master the placement of commas around “however”.
The placement of commas around “however” can be a bit tricky, as it depends on the context in which the word is used. Generally, when “however” is used as an adverb to introduce a contrasting statement, it is placed between two independent clauses. In this case, commas are typically placed before and after “however”.
For example:
She was excited about the trip; however, she was worried about the weather.
In this sentence, “however” is used to contrast the excitement about the trip with the worry about the weather. The comma before “however” separates the two independent clauses, while the comma after “however” helps to set off the contrasting statement.
However, there are situations where “however” is used as an interrupter, and in these cases, it is placed within the sentence, with commas before and after it. This usage is less common but still grammatically correct.
For example:
She was excited about the trip, however, she was worried about the weather.
In this sentence, “however” is inserted into the middle of the sentence, acting as an interrupter. The commas before and after “however” help to set off the interrupter, making it clear that it is not part of the main clause.
In summary, when “however” is used as an adverb to introduce a contrasting statement, place commas before and after it. When “however” is used as an interrupter, place commas before and after it as well. By understanding these rules and practicing with different sentence structures, you will be able to use “however” correctly in your writing.
