Which term describes a word or phrase that connects two independent clauses?

Which term describes a word or phrase that connects two independent clauses?

• A. Coordinating Conjunction
• B. Conjunction Adverb
• C. Colon
• D. Semicolon

Answer: (A)

Coordinating conjunctions are the words that join two independent clauses to form a compound sentence. They connect equally strong ideas with terms like for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. Using one of these connectors with a comma before it shows the relationship between the two thoughts—additive, contrasting, or causal. For example: “I wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain.” Here, two complete thoughts are linked by a single connecting word. Other options aren’t connecting words: a colon introduces explanation or a list; a semicolon links two independent clauses without a connecting word; a conjunctive adverb (like however or therefore) connects clauses but typically uses a semicolon before and a comma after.

Coordinating conjunctions are the words that join two independent clauses to form a compound sentence. They connect equally strong ideas with terms like for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. Using one of these connectors with a comma before it shows the relationship between the two thoughts—additive, contrasting, or causal. For example: “I wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain.” Here, two complete thoughts are linked by a single connecting word.

Other options aren’t connecting words: a colon introduces explanation or a list; a semicolon links two independent clauses without a connecting word; a conjunctive adverb (like however or therefore) connects clauses but typically uses a semicolon before and a comma after.