Which of the following sentences is correctly punctuated with a semicolon in standard written English?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your understanding of semicolon usage in English punctuation, especially when it appears with a conjunctive adverb like "however". Many learners find semicolons confusing and either avoid them completely or place them randomly. Knowing the standard pattern for joining two closely related independent clauses with a semicolon followed by "however" is important for clear and correct formal writing.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The idea being expressed is that someone ate but did not sleep.
• We have three possible punctuated versions plus a "None of the above" option.
• The focus is on the correct placement of the semicolon and comma around "however".
• Each clause ("He ate" and "he did not sleep") is an independent clause that could stand alone as a sentence.

Concept / Approach:
When joining two closely related independent clauses using a conjunctive adverb such as "however", "therefore", or "consequently", the standard pattern is: first clause + semicolon + conjunctive adverb + comma + second clause. In other words, you write "He ate; however, he did not sleep." The semicolon joins the clauses, and the comma after "however" sets off the adverb. Incorrect sentences either place the semicolon in the wrong position or use a comma instead of a semicolon, which can create a comma splice.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Confirm that "He ate" and "he did not sleep" are both independent clauses with their own subjects and verbs.Step 2: Recall the correct pattern: clause 1; however, clause 2.Step 3: Examine option a: "He ate, however; he did not sleep." Here, the comma comes before "however" and the semicolon after it, which breaks the standard pattern and splits the second clause strangely.Step 4: Examine option b: "He ate however, he; did not sleep." This version has punctuation in two incorrect places, creating a confusing and ungrammatical sentence.Step 5: Examine option c: "He ate; however, he did not sleep." This follows the pattern exactly: first clause, semicolon, "however", comma, second clause.Step 6: Since option c is correct, option d ("None of the above") cannot be correct.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify the correctness of option c, you can compare it with examples from grammar references or style guides. They typically present structures such as "She was tired; however, she kept working" or "The plan was risky; therefore, they postponed it." All use the same pattern: independent clause; conjunctive adverb, independent clause. If you replace the semicolon in option c with a comma, you would create a comma splice, which is usually considered an error in formal writing. If you remove the comma after "however", the sentence becomes harder to read and feels less balanced. This confirms that the punctuation in option c is the standard and preferred form.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a uses a comma before "however" and a semicolon after it, which disrupts the structure. The first clause ends only with a comma, which is too weak to join two independent clauses. Option b has punctuation scattered oddly: "He ate however, he; did not sleep" results in a semicolon in front of a dependent fragment ("did not sleep") and a comma splice before that. Both options break the conventional pattern used with conjunctive adverbs. Because option c already gives a clear and correct model, option d ("None of the above") is also wrong.

Common Pitfalls:
A common error is to use a comma where a semicolon is needed, especially before words like "however". This yields sentences such as "He ate, however, he did not sleep", which is usually marked as incorrect in exams. Another pitfall is to move the semicolon around the conjunctive adverb, as seen in the wrong options here. A reliable technique is to first write the two clauses as separate sentences, then replace the full stop with a semicolon and insert the conjunctive adverb with a comma. With practice, this pattern becomes easy to apply, and you can confidently answer such punctuation questions.

Final Answer:
The correctly punctuated sentence with a semicolon is He ate; however, he did not sleep.