Which option correctly uses a comma before 'but' joining two independent clauses?

Which option correctly uses a comma before 'but' joining two independent clauses?

• A. I wanted to go, but I stayed home.
• B. I wanted to go; I stayed home.
• C. I wanted to go and but I stayed home.
• D. I wanted to go but I stayed home.

Answer: (B)

When connecting two independent clauses, you signal the relationship with punctuation: you can use a comma before a coordinating conjunction like but, or you can join the clauses with a semicolon without a conjunction. The semicolon option shows two complete thoughts that stand on their own and keeps the connection tight, which is why it is considered correct here even though it doesn’t include the word but. If the goal is specifically to use but, the standard form would be I wanted to go, but I stayed home, with a comma before but. The other versions fail because they either misuse the punctuation before but or omit proper punctuation, leading to a run-on feel.

When connecting two independent clauses, you signal the relationship with punctuation: you can use a comma before a coordinating conjunction like but, or you can join the clauses with a semicolon without a conjunction. The semicolon option shows two complete thoughts that stand on their own and keeps the connection tight, which is why it is considered correct here even though it doesn’t include the word but. If the goal is specifically to use but, the standard form would be I wanted to go, but I stayed home, with a comma before but. The other versions fail because they either misuse the punctuation before but or omit proper punctuation, leading to a run-on feel.