Which version correctly uses punctuation between two independent clauses with 'however'?

Which version correctly uses punctuation between two independent clauses with 'however'?

• A. The patient is stable; however, there is a risk of infection.
• B. The patient is stable; however there is a risk of infection.
• C. The patient is stable, however, there is a risk of infection.
• D. The patient is stable, however there is a risk of infection.

Answer: (A)

When two independent clauses are joined with however, use a semicolon before the word and a comma after it. Each clause can stand alone: “The patient is stable” and “there is a risk of infection.” The semicolon before however signals the connection between two independent thoughts, and the comma after however gives the natural pause before the second clause. So the correct version is: The patient is stable; however, there is a risk of infection. Other forms fail because they either splice two independent clauses with just a comma or omit the comma after however. A comma before however is not correct here, and omitting the comma after however disrupts the proper pause and flow.

When two independent clauses are joined with however, use a semicolon before the word and a comma after it. Each clause can stand alone: “The patient is stable” and “there is a risk of infection.” The semicolon before however signals the connection between two independent thoughts, and the comma after however gives the natural pause before the second clause. So the correct version is: The patient is stable; however, there is a risk of infection.

Other forms fail because they either splice two independent clauses with just a comma or omit the comma after however. A comma before however is not correct here, and omitting the comma after however disrupts the proper pause and flow.