Which punctuation mark separates independent clauses?

Which punctuation mark separates independent clauses?

• A. Comma
• B. Semicolon
• C. Colon
• D. Period

Answer: (B)

Separating independent clauses relies on showing two complete thoughts that can stand alone. A semicolon links those two independent clauses as closely related parts of one idea without a coordinating conjunction. For example: The meeting ran late; everyone agreed to reschedule. Each clause could be a sentence on its own, but the semicolon signals a tighter connection than a period. Using a comma would be a comma splice if you omit a conjunction: The meeting ran late, everyone agreed to reschedule is not correct. A period would simply create two sentences. A colon is used to introduce something that explains or follows from the first clause, not to join two independent clauses as equals. Therefore, the semicolon is the punctuation that separates independent clauses.

Separating independent clauses relies on showing two complete thoughts that can stand alone. A semicolon links those two independent clauses as closely related parts of one idea without a coordinating conjunction. For example: The meeting ran late; everyone agreed to reschedule. Each clause could be a sentence on its own, but the semicolon signals a tighter connection than a period. Using a comma would be a comma splice if you omit a conjunction: The meeting ran late, everyone agreed to reschedule is not correct. A period would simply create two sentences. A colon is used to introduce something that explains or follows from the first clause, not to join two independent clauses as equals. Therefore, the semicolon is the punctuation that separates independent clauses.