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Which choice shows the proper way to join two independent clauses with a semicolon?


My birthstone is a ruby; not a diamond.

Michelle’s birthstone is a diamond; Debra’s is an opal.

Diamonds are popular; My birthstone is a ruby.

Michelle’s birthstone is a diamond; but Debra’s is an opal.

Verified Answer :

love021899

The second one Michelle's birthstone is a diamond; Debra's is an opal.

The semicolon links up two related ideas by narrowing the gap between the ideas of two separate sentences or independent clause by replacing a conjunction between two related ideas. The group of words that comes before the semicolon should form a complete sentence, the group of words that comes after the semicolon should form a complete sentence, and the two sentences should share a close, logical connection. After semicolon you can/t use capital letters.

According to the definition given, the choice that shows the proper way to join two independent clauses with a semicolon is:  


Michelle’s birthstone is a diamond; Debra’s is an opal. (two independent clauses)

The other options do not apply because:

My birthstone is a ruby; not a diamond.  (They are not two independent clauses)

Diamonds are popular; My birthstone is a ruby.  (the second clause begins with a capital letter).

Michelle’s birthstone is a diamond; but Debra’s is an opal. (The two sentences are connected with a connector but).

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