Question

1. which choice shows the proper way to use a semicolon?

blue skies are beautiful; but i like rain, too.
even though the sky was blue, the forecaster expected; rain.
blue skies this morning; expect rain later.
the sky was blue this morning; nevertheless, rain was expected.

Explanation:

To determine the proper semicolon use, recall that a semicolon can separate two independent clauses (complete thoughts) or be used with a conjunctive adverb (like "nevertheless") between two independent clauses.

• First option: "but" is a coordinating conjunction, and a semicolon should not be used before it (a comma is correct here).
• Second option: The semicolon incorrectly splits a verb ("expected") from its object ("rain"); it's not separating independent clauses.
• Third option: "Blue skies this morning" is not an independent clause (it lacks a verb to be a complete thought), so a semicolon is improper here.
• Fourth option: "The sky was blue this morning" is an independent clause, and "nevertheless, rain was expected" is another independent clause with a conjunctive adverb ("nevertheless") properly introduced after the semicolon.

Answer:

The sky was blue this morning; nevertheless, rain was expected.