What is the correct use of commas when the word "however" is used in the middle of a sentence?

1 Answer
Feb 21, 2018

, however,
or
; however,

Explanation:

However is a conjunction, meaning that it is a word used to connect clauses in a sentence. However connects independent clauses, which are phrases that could be stand alone sentences, meaning that they contain a subject and an action.

Historically, the only acceptable syntax would be to follow the first clause with a semicolon, then write however and follow that with a comma and the next clause, but today it is acceptable to use two commas instead.

I could go today; however, I don't want to.
I could go today, however, I don't want to.