Semicolon is used to join what?

• A. A dependent clause to an independent clause
• B. Two unrelated sentences
• C. Related independent clauses
• D. A sentence fragment

Answer: (C)

Semicolons link two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning, showing they belong together as one larger idea. Each part could stand alone as a sentence, but the semicolon signals a tight connection between them without using a conjunction. For example: “The rain stopped; the parade could resume.” Both sides are complete sentences, and they relate to the same event, so the semicolon cleanly ties them.

That’s why the other possibilities don’t fit. A dependent clause can’t join with a semicolon because it isn’t a complete thought on its own. Two sentences that aren’t connected in meaning are better separated with a period, since a semicolon implies a relationship. A sentence fragment can’t stand alone, so it wouldn’t be joined with a semicolon either.