Which option correctly demonstrates a sentence that uses a FANBOYS conjunction with proper punctuation to join two independent clauses?

Which option correctly demonstrates a sentence that uses a FANBOYS conjunction with proper punctuation to join two independent clauses?

• A. I wanted to go hiking, but it started raining.
• B. I wanted to go hiking and it started raining.
• C. I wanted to go hiking; it started raining.
• D. I wanted to go hiking, or it started raining.

Answer: (A)

When you join two independent clauses with a FANBOYS coordinating conjunction, you usually put a comma before the conjunction. That pattern is shown in the sentence with but, where two complete thoughts are connected by a comma and the coordinating word. Two independent clauses are “I wanted to go hiking” and “it started raining.” The comma before but correctly signals the pause and the contrast between the ideas, which makes the sentence flow cleanly and clearly. The version without a comma before and creates a run-on, because two independent clauses are glued together without the needed pause. The version that uses a semicolon, while it correctly joins two independent clauses, does not demonstrate the use of a FANBOYS conjunction with comma punctuation. The version with or also uses a FANBOYS word, but its meaning is awkward or less natural in this context, so it doesn’t illustrate the clearest, most natural use of the pattern. So the best example shows two independent clauses connected by a FANBOYS conjunction with the comma before it, yielding a natural, properly punctuated sentence.

When you join two independent clauses with a FANBOYS coordinating conjunction, you usually put a comma before the conjunction. That pattern is shown in the sentence with but, where two complete thoughts are connected by a comma and the coordinating word.

Two independent clauses are “I wanted to go hiking” and “it started raining.” The comma before but correctly signals the pause and the contrast between the ideas, which makes the sentence flow cleanly and clearly.

The version without a comma before and creates a run-on, because two independent clauses are glued together without the needed pause.

The version that uses a semicolon, while it correctly joins two independent clauses, does not demonstrate the use of a FANBOYS conjunction with comma punctuation.

The version with or also uses a FANBOYS word, but its meaning is awkward or less natural in this context, so it doesn’t illustrate the clearest, most natural use of the pattern.

So the best example shows two independent clauses connected by a FANBOYS conjunction with the comma before it, yielding a natural, properly punctuated sentence.