However and therefore exercises with answers

Quick answer. Use however to introduce a contrast and therefore to introduce a result. They are linking adverbs, so they cannot normally join two complete sentences with only a comma. Write a full stop or a semicolon before them: The task was difficult. However, we finished it. The road was closed; therefore, we turned back.

However or therefore?

However does not mean “because of that.” Therefore does not signal a surprising contrast. Choose the relationship first; punctuation comes second.

Exercise 1: choose the meaning

1. The forecast was poor. ___, the match continued.
2. The forecast predicted a storm. ___, the match was cancelled.
3. Maya had studied carefully. ___, she still felt nervous.
4. The final train had left. ___, we took a taxi.
5. The instructions looked simple. ___, several steps were unclear.
6. The file contained private data. ___, we did not share it.

Punctuation between two complete sentences

When both sides can stand as sentences, use one of these patterns:

• The shop was closing. However, they served us.
• The shop was closing; however, they served us.
• The road was icy. Therefore, we drove slowly.
• The road was icy; therefore, we drove slowly.

A comma alone is not enough in careful writing: The shop was closing, however, they served us. This is a comma splice. A semicolon joins the clauses; the comma after the linking adverb separates it from the new clause.

Exercise 2: add punctuation

1. The hotel was expensive however we booked it.
2. The password had expired therefore I created a new one.
3. Leo disagreed with the plan however he followed the final decision.
4. The path was flooded therefore the park was closed.
5. The first solution was quick however it did not fix the cause.

Position inside the second clause

The linking adverb often comes first, but it can move for a different rhythm: The plan, however, was too expensive; We must therefore change the schedule. Commas usually surround parenthetical however. Therefore is often written without commas when it sits closely before the main verb.

Exercise 3: rewrite with the adverb in brackets

1. The course was demanding, but it was useful. (however)
2. The printer had no paper, so it stopped. (therefore)
3. Mia was tired, but she completed the report. (however)
4. The figures were incomplete, so we delayed the decision. (therefore)
5. The flat is small, but the layout works well. (however, middle position)

However compared with although and but

Although introduces a dependent clause: Although it was late, we continued. But coordinates two parts: It was late, but we continued. However links the meaning of two independent statements: It was late. However, we continued. Practise the clause pattern separately on the although and though exercises page.

Therefore compared with because and so

Because introduces the reason: We left because it was late. So introduces a result in a common coordinated sentence: It was late, so we left. Therefore is more formal and links a conclusion or result: It was late; therefore, we left.

Exercise 4: correct the mistake

1. It was raining, however we went out.
2. The bus was late, therefore, I missed the meeting.
3. Although the task was difficult, however we finished it.
4. The road was closed. However, we turned back because of that result.
5. The price was high; therefore, I bought it anyway.
6. We had no key however could not enter.

Exercise 5: translate into English

1. Экзамен был трудным. Однако я сдал его.
2. Поезд отменили. Поэтому мы остались дома.
3. План был рискованным, однако он сработал.
4. Данных было недостаточно; поэтому мы не сделали вывод.
5. Хотя комната была маленькой, в ней было удобно.

Typical mistakes for Russian-speaking learners

• Joining two complete clauses with a comma before however or therefore.
• Choosing the connector from Russian «поэтому/однако» without checking the logical relationship.
• Using although and however in the same two-part structure.
• Adding commas around every occurrence of therefore, even when it sits closely before the verb.
• Fixing punctuation but leaving the wrong contrast/result meaning.

Self-check and related practice

Continue with conjunctions, linking words, despite and in spite of, purpose clauses, relative clauses and mixed tenses.