Choose the correct revised version of the sentence to fix its punctuation: Depression and anxiety are two of the most common health problems affecting college students, however, eating disorders are also on the rise.

• A. Depression and anxiety are two of the most common health problems affecting college students; however, eating disorders are also on the rise.
• B. Depression and anxiety are two of the most common health problems affecting college students, however, eating disorders are also on the rise.
• C. Depression and anxiety are two of the most common health problems affecting college students. However, eating disorders are also on the rise.
• D. Depression and anxiety are two of the most common health problems affecting college students; however eating disorders are also on the rise.

Answer: (A)

When a sentence links two independent thoughts with a conjunctive adverb like however, you should use a semicolon before the adverb and a comma after it. That keeps the two complete ideas together in one smooth sentence: the first clause, then a semicolon, then however, then a comma, and the second clause.

So the best version uses a semicolon before however and a comma after it: ...college students; however, eating disorders are also on the rise. This correctly treats the two parts as independent ideas and prevents a comma splice.

The other options run into problems: using a comma before however creates a comma splice, splitting the flow awkwardly. Starting a new sentence with However is grammatically acceptable but changes the rhythm and is generally less smooth for this construction. Lastly, omitting the comma after however leaves the mid-sentence punctuation incomplete.