Question #N364
The use of commas is essential for clarity in writing, and it can be confusing to know when they are required. For example, consider the following two sentences: "She went to the store. She bought bread." These two sentences are completely independent, and they can be joined by a comma and a conjunction or by a semicolon. However, if we rewrite the sentences so that the subject of the second sentence is a pronoun, then the rules for punctuation are slightly different. For example, consider the following two sentences: "She went to the store. She bought it." In this case, the second sentence is dependent on the first, and it cannot be joined with a comma and a conjunction or with a semicolon alone. Instead, we can join the sentences with a comma or we can make the second sentence a dependent clause. Which of the following sentences illustrates a rule for punctuation in the first example?
Which of the following sentences illustrates a rule for punctuation in the first example?Correct Answer is: B
The first example states that two independent sentences can be joined by a semicolon. Only choice B illustrates this rule because it uses a semicolon to join two independent clauses. Choice A illustrates the rule that two independent sentences can be joined by a comma and a conjunction. Choice C illustrates a rule for joining two sentences that have opposing ideas. Choice D incorrectly combines the independent clause with the dependent clause.