Question

From the statements in questions choose the one that expresses the idea most correctly.

• A. Children begin by loving their parents; as they grow older they judge them; sometimes they forgive them.
• B. Children begin by loving their parents, as they grow older they judge them; sometimes they forgive them.
• C. Children begin by loving their parents; as they grow older they judge them, sometimes they forgive them.
• D. Children begin by loving their parents, as they grow older they judge them; sometimes they forgive them.

Hint:

Use semicolons to connect closely related independent clauses when commas alone would cause ambiguity.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Punctuation for complex thoughts The sentence expresses three related but independent ideas: 1. They begin by loving their parents. 2. As they grow older, they judge them. 3. Sometimes they forgive them. Step 2: Use of semicolons Semicolons are correctly used to separate closely related independent clauses when the ideas are substantial. Step 3: Eliminating incorrect options - (b) and (d) incorrectly use a comma before an independent clause (“as they grow older…”). - (c) has inconsistent punctuation mixing a semicolon and comma without a coordinating conjunction. Thus, (a) is the most correct and clear.