Which sentence uses the semicolon correctly?

Correct answer: B. The meeting ended early; several members were absent.

  • A. The meeting ended early; because several members were absent.
  • B. The meeting ended early; several members were absent.
  • C. The meeting; ended early because several members were absent.
  • D. The meeting ended; early because several members were absent.

Explanation

A semicolon can join two closely related independent clauses, and both parts of option B can stand as complete sentences. In the other choices, the semicolon separates a dependent clause or divides parts of a single clause.

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