Question #N29
Which choice correctly combines the following sentences into a single sentence with a correctly placed semicolon? Sentence 1: The first European settlers arrived in the area in the 1700s. Sentence 2: They found it to be a rich agricultural region.
A. The first European settlers arrived in the area in the 1700s; they found it to be a rich agricultural region.
B. The first European settlers arrived in the area in the 1700s, they found it to be a rich agricultural region.
C. The first European settlers arrived in the area in the 1700s they found it to be a rich agricultural region.
D. The first European settlers arrived in the area in the 1700s; and they found it to be a rich agricultural region.
Correct Answer is: A
A semicolon can correctly combine two independent clauses. The clauses must be able to stand alone as sentences, and this sentence does not need any additional conjunction. In this case, Sentence 1 and Sentence 2 are both complete sentences that can stand alone. Because both clauses are independent, they are correctly combined by a semicolon. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not use punctuation correctly to combine the two independent clauses.