Which term joins two independent clauses by placing a comma and coordinating conjunction?

• A. Coordinating conjunction
• B. Subordinating conjunction
• C. Fragment
• D. Comma splice

Answer: (A)

Joining two independent clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction uses a coordinating conjunction. These are the words for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so—used to show how the two equal ideas relate and to link them into one sentence. The comma before the conjunction helps separate the two complete thoughts so they read smoothly as a single, coherent sentence.

A subordinating conjunction, by contrast, links a dependent clause to an independent one, not two independent clauses. A fragment is an incomplete sentence missing a main clause. A comma splice happens when two independent clauses are joined only by a comma, with no coordinating conjunction or other proper connector.