Hi Experts,

I am reading chapter 10 of "MGMAT SC-fourth edition guide". In page number 191 usage of conjunctive adverb or other transitions expressions with semicolon is discussed.

In the book it is written:-

"The semicolon is often followed by Conjunctive Adverbs or other transition expressions, such as however, therefore, or in addition. In this way, we can modify the equal relationship that a bare semicolon implies. Note that these transitional elements are not true conjunctions like and. As a result, you must use semicolons, not commas, to join the sentences."

An example is also given, but the "answer of question 12" in page no. 200(Problem Set) says:-

12. Jim is trying to reduce the number of soda that he drinks , at last night's party, although, his resolve to drink fewer soda was sorely tested , he found himself quaffing many of sodas.

Ans. Pg 200

Jim is trying to reduce the AMOUNT of soda that he drinks; at last night's party, HOWEVER, his resolve to drink LESS soda was sorely tested, AND he found himself quaffing A NUMBER of sodas.


I have understood this answer except the usage of "however". Why there is no "semicolon" before "however" ?
There is a semicolon before "At last night's party", but i am confused.

Please help me in resolving this.

Waiting for your reply.

Thanks & Regards
Saurabh

Hi Saurabh,
Let's review the purpose of a semicolon. A semicolon separates two independent clauses that are closely related in content. Independent clauses are clauses that could stand on their own as sentences.

We do have a semicolon in use in the above sentence, and it is correctly used. Envision each side of the semicolon standing as its own sentence:
1) Jim is trying to reduce the amount of soda that he drinks.
2) At last night's party, however, his resolve to drink less soda was sorely tested, and he found himself quaffing a number of sodas.

Notice that I could have written sentence #2 as "However, at last night's party his resolve . . ." and it would be grammatically correct and mean the same thing.

If we moved the semicolon to after the word "party" the meaning changes:
1) Jim is trying to reduce that amount of soda that he drinks at last night's party (so he is just trying to drink less at last night's party? and this sentence has verb tense problems)
2) However, his resolve to drink less soda . . .

The point here is that he is trying to drink less soda, but at last night's party his resolve failed him. This is best expressed by leaving the semicolon where it is.

I hope this helps and please ask if you have further questions.

Thank you,

_________________
Jamie Nelson
ManhattanGMAT Instructor

Thank you so much and really apologize for the late reply.
I have understood the answer. My confusion was on "however", and i didn't even thought that replacing the semicolon would change the meaning of the sentence. My mistake.

Thank you once again.

Regards
Saurabh

You're welcome!

Thanks,
Chris

_________________
Chris Brusznicki
MGMAT Instructor
Chicago, IL

At last night's party, however, his resolve to drink less soda was sorely tested, and he found himself quaffing a number of sodas.

Experts plese advice...
as far as i have read the structure of although is like

Although X, Y
but in the above sentences it is used as although X , and Y .



please help me know where i am wrong.
thanks

i'm not entirely sure what you're getting at here. you use a sentence without the word "although" as your example, yet you ask a question about the word "although". can you please clarify?

_________________
Tim Sanders
Manhattan GMAT Instructor