Question

which is the best way to complete the text? after mabel’s family moved to ireland, she and luna were separated by the atlantic ______ a prolific written correspondence sustained their friendship. ocean but ocean, but ocean; but submit

Explanation:

The first clause "she and Luna were separated by the Atlantic Ocean" is an independent clause, and the second clause "a prolific written correspondence sustained their friendship" is also an independent clause. When connecting two independent clauses with the coordinating conjunction "but", a comma must precede the conjunction. A semicolon would be incorrect here because "but" is a coordinating conjunction, not a conjunctive adverb, so it does not pair with a semicolon. Omitting the comma creates a run-on sentence.

Answer:

Ocean, but