Choose the sentence that uses the semicolon correctly.
Correct answer: B. The lecture was long; it was nevertheless interesting.
- A. The lecture was long; but interesting.
- B. The lecture was long; it was nevertheless interesting.
- C. The lecture was long; and the students were tired.
- D. The lecture; was long and interesting.
Explanation
A semicolon joins two complete independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction, which is exactly what the second option does. Placing one before but or and is wrong, since those conjunctions already do the joining and need only a comma. A semicolon never separates a subject from its verb.
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Punctuation marks show structure, pauses, relationships and emphasis in written sentences. Questions cover commas in lists, clauses and nonessential phrases, semicolons between independent clauses, colons, apostrophes, quotation marks and hyphens, as well as the errors that create fragments, run-on sentences or comma splices.
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