Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly to join two independent clauses?

Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly to join two independent clauses?

• A. The project is due; we will start today.
• B. The project is due; and we will start today.
• C. The project is due, we will start today.
• D. The project is due and we will start today.

Answer: (A)

When two independent clauses—the parts that could stand alone as sentences—express related ideas, you can join them with a semicolon. The semicolon signals a close connection without adding an extra word like a conjunction. Here, both parts are complete sentences: “The project is due.” and “We will start today.” A semicolon links them directly, showing their relation while keeping each clause clear and balanced. That’s why this option is correct. The other forms break the rule in small ways: adding a word like “and” after the semicolon isn’t standard punctuation, using a comma between two independent clauses creates a comma splice, and omitting a comma before “and” with two independent clauses makes a run-on. You can also rewrite it as two separate sentences or use a comma plus a coordinating conjunction, but the clean semicolon join is the precise match for this sentence.

When two independent clauses—the parts that could stand alone as sentences—express related ideas, you can join them with a semicolon. The semicolon signals a close connection without adding an extra word like a conjunction.

Here, both parts are complete sentences: “The project is due.” and “We will start today.” A semicolon links them directly, showing their relation while keeping each clause clear and balanced. That’s why this option is correct.

The other forms break the rule in small ways: adding a word like “and” after the semicolon isn’t standard punctuation, using a comma between two independent clauses creates a comma splice, and omitting a comma before “and” with two independent clauses makes a run-on. You can also rewrite it as two separate sentences or use a comma plus a coordinating conjunction, but the clean semicolon join is the precise match for this sentence.