ACT English 2.4 Sentence Structure

clauses, perfectly capable of existing on their own.

Although that doesn't seem true of our unemployed speaker.

We can nix choice (A) since our original sentence is a comma splice.

We can tell, because it tries to connect these two independent clauses with nothing more

than a measly little comma.

Choice (B) slams the clauses together without any punctuation at all.

This makes it a run-on sentence and totally incorrect.

© isn't completely off the wall. Semicolons are useful for connecting two independent

clauses. However, (C) adds one ingredient too many with the conjunction "yet."

When we use a semicolon to connect independent clauses, no conjunction is necessary. Therefore,

we can take (C) out of consideration. Choice (D) correctly joins the two clauses

by using both a comma and the coordinating conjunction "and."

This now turns our original comma splice into a respectable compound sentence.

Hopefully, our deadbeat speaker will find a way to become a respectable citizen as well...