Semicolons with Conjunctive Adverbs

Conjunctive adverbs are often used to connect independent clauses with other independent clauses as well as with dependent clauses. Here is a list of commonly used conjunctive adverbs:

consequently
finally
for instance
hence
however
in addition
moreover
nevertheless
still
therefore
then
thus

When a conjunctive adverb is used to connect independent clauses, put a semicolon before the adverb and a comma after it, as shown in the following example:

The environment is the context in which all life exists; consequently, it is more than a political issue.

A conjunctive adverb may appear within an independent clause. Then, use commas to set off the conjunctive adverb. Consider this example:

Most voters were disappointed by the election. My father, however, was pleased with the outcome.

Some words and phrases function like conjunctive adverbs. The words or phrases in the following list are punctuated in the same way as conjunctive adverbs:

in fact
indeed
for example
for instance
at any rate
on the one hand
on the other hand

The following sentence correctly uses a semicolon with a phrase that functions as a conjunctive adverb:

Environmental issues may have a negative political influence; for example, one candidate was ridiculed because of his support for environmental protection laws.

When these words or phrases do not separate independent clauses, use commas to set them off from the rest of the sentence:

My father, for example, seems to care more about the economy than the environment.

Finally, writers often misuse semicolons with the word although, which is not a conjunctive adverb. It is a subordinating word that is often incorrectly used as if it were a conjunctive adverb.

Which sentence is correct? During hurricane season for instance cruise ship rates can be more than fifty percent lower than at other times during the year. I’d like to spend a relaxing week on a Caribbean island; however, my sister wants to go on biking tour of Tuscany.