Reading and Writing · Boundaries
SAT punctuation: join complete sentences
The rule
Two independent clauses can be joined with a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction such as and or but. A comma alone is not enough.
Worked example
The museum reopened after renovations; visitors returned that afternoon. Why does the semicolon work?
- The museum reopened after renovations is a complete sentence with a subject and verb.
- Visitors returned that afternoon is also a complete sentence.
- A semicolon can join these related independent clauses. A period also works here.
A common trap
The museum reopened after renovations, visitors returned that afternoon is a comma splice. A semicolon also cannot join a complete sentence to an incomplete fragment.
Apply it, then revisit it
Try the skill in a separate question. After checking your answer, explain the step you used and return to any mistake later.
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