Question #N466
There are many reasons to consider the use of a semicolon. It can help separate related but independent clauses or create a more dramatic pause. One popular example is in this sentence, where the semicolon helps to mark the pause before the concluding phrase "as well as the sounds of the birds." The semicolon is especially useful in this sentence because it helps separate the two clauses from the rest of the passage. What is the most likely reason why the writer uses a semicolon in the sentence?
In the sentence, the semicolon is most likely used to
A. separate the two clauses from the rest of the sentence.
B. emphasize a pause before the concluding phrase.
C. create a more dramatic pause.
D. separate two related but independent clauses.
Correct Answer is: D
The writer is using a semicolon in this sentence to connect two related but independent clauses. This is the primary purpose of a semicolon. The use of a semicolon before the concluding phrase is simply a secondary effect.