GED Reasoning Through Language ArtsLanguage Conventions and UsageMedium
A historian is compiling research for a book on ancient civilizations. Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon to separate independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction?
- AArchaeologists discovered new artifacts; these findings altered previous theories.
- BThe Roman Empire was vast, its influence spread across three continents.
- CThe pyramids of Egypt are architectural marvels, they required immense labor to construct.
- DMany ancient texts are fragmented, therefore, understanding them fully is challenging.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Archaeologists discovered new artifacts; these findings altered previous theories.
Option B correctly uses a semicolon to join two closely related independent clauses ('Archaeologists discovered new artifacts' and 'these findings altered previous theories') without a coordinating conjunction. Option A and D are comma splices. Option C uses a comma before 'therefore,' which should be a semicolon.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. This is a comma splice, incorrectly joining two independent clauses with only a comma.
- C. This is a comma splice, incorrectly joining two independent clauses with only a comma.
- D. Incorrectly uses a comma before 'therefore'; a semicolon should precede a conjunctive adverb joining two independent clauses.
Semicolon for Independent Clauses
A semicolon can be used to join two closely related independent clauses that are not connected by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
- Both clauses must be independent (can stand alone as sentences).
- The clauses should be closely related in meaning.
- No coordinating conjunction should be present between the clauses.
Memory trick: Semicolon: A strong comma, a weak period.