Question

choose the sentence that is punctuated correctly.
however he spared them; in fact he allowed the throne to pass to the young boy.
however, he spared them; in fact he allowed the throne to pass to the young boy.
however he spared them, in fact, he allowed the throne to pass to the young boy.
however, he spared them; in fact, he allowed the throne to pass to the young boy.

Explanation:

1. When "however" starts a sentence and functions as a conjunctive adverb, it must be followed by a comma. This eliminates the first and third options.
2. When a conjunctive adverb phrase like "in fact" follows a semicolon (connecting two independent clauses), it should be followed by a comma. This eliminates the second option.
3. The fourth option correctly uses a comma after the sentence-initial "however", a semicolon to link the two related independent clauses, and a comma after the introductory phrase "in fact".

Answer:

However, he spared them; in fact, he allowed the throne to pass to the young boy.