although, but, however

All of these words join clauses in

sentences, but they are different
parts of speech.
This presentation explains the impact
of the word choice on sentence
pattern and punctuation.
although, but, however
Semantic similarity

These three words are related

semantically (in meaning):

they all signal a contrast in the

information that follows with the
information that precedes.

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although, but, however
Structural difference
However, these words differ
structurally: they are different parts
of speech and affect sentence patterns
in different ways.

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Semantic similarity
Structural difference

An editor needs to know the

structural difference in order to
punctuate sentences correctly.

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although, but, however

sentence patterns and

punctuation

 Punctuation errors can result from

using the words as
interchangeable.
 Misreading can result from errors.

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parts of speech

word part of speech effect on sentence

although subordinating makes clause

conjunction dependent
but coordinating joins like things
conjunction (2 independent
clauses)
however conjunctive modifies an
adverb independent clause

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sentence analysis
Compound sentence, coordinating
conjunction

I have studied the textbook, but

I am still confused.

 coordinating conjunction (“but”)

 two independent clauses (“I have
studied” and “I am”)
 compound sentence: comma separates
clauses with a coordinating conjunction

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sentence analysis
Complex sentence, subordinating
conjunction

Although I have studied the

textbook, I am still confused.

 two clauses (2 pairs of subject + verb)

 subordinating conjunction (“although”)
 dependent clause
 complex sentence: comma after the
introductory clause

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sentence analysis
Complex sentence, subordinating
conjunction

I have studied the textbook;

however, I am still confused.

 conjunctive adverb (joins clauses but

does not affect sentence pattern)
 two independent clauses
 compound sentence, no coordinating
conjunction-->semicolon

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sentence analysis
Two simple sentences, “however” as
adverb in one

I am confused.
I have, however, studied the
textbook.

“however” is an adverb
two simple sentences
the adverb is interrupting material
that requires a pair of commas

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Review although, but, however

 Parts of speech affect sentence patterns.

 Although, but, and however are different
parts of speech.
 although--subordinating conjunction
 but--coordinating conjunction
 however--conjunctive adverb

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Review: sentence types
compound sentence =
two independent clauses
 join with comma plus coordinating conjunction
 join with a semicolon
complex sentence =
one independent clause,
one dependent clause
 join with a comma or nothing (never a
semicolon)

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Review although, but, however

 Although makes a clause dependent

and the sentence complex.
 But joins independent clauses in a
compound sentence.
 However can join independent
clauses but does not change their
independence.

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Editing: original sentence (punctuation
error)

 When editors analyze sentence

structure, they punctuate
correctly; although it is easy to
confuse different parts of speech.

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Editing: analysis
dependent clause
When editors analyze (“when” is a
subordinating
sentence structure, conjunction)

they punctuate correctly independent

clause (S+V)

although it is easy to dependent clause

(S+V +
confuse different parts of subordinating
speech. conjunction)

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Option #1 for punctuation

Delete the semicolon (or replace it with a

comma): maintain complex sentence

When editors analyze sentence

structure, they punctuate
correctly although it is easy to
confuse different parts of speech.

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Option #2 for punctuation

Replace although with however and retain

the semicolon: create a compound-
complex sentence (includes 2 independent
clauses)
When editors analyze sentence
structure, they punctuate
correctly; however, it is easy to
confuse different parts of speech.

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Choosing an option
In this case, the second option is
probably better.

The sentence is long and difficult.

Subordination and lack of punctuation
increase reading difficulty. Coordination
creates parallel structure, which aids
comparison.

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although, but, however
 know parts of speech
 know the ways these words affect
clauses
 punctuate according to structure

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