Which usage correctly employs a semicolon?

• A. I went to the store; and bought milk
• B. I went to the store, however I forgot my wallet
• C. I went to the store; however, I forgot my wallet
• D. I went to the store. However I forgot my wallet

Answer: (C)

Link two complete sentences with a semicolon when they’re closely related, and use a transition word like however to show contrast by placing a comma after that word. The correct sentence does this: I went to the store; however, I forgot my wallet. It has two independent thoughts, and the semicolon before however signals the pause and the comma after however separates the transitional word from the second clause.

The other options mis-handle how semicolons or transitions work. Putting a semicolon before and is not correct because the part after and isn’t a standalone sentence. Using a comma before however creates a comma splice since two independent clauses are joined without the proper punctuation. Ending with a period instead of a semicolon doesn’t demonstrate the semicolon usage in linking the clauses.