Which punctuation is used to separate two independent clauses?

The semicolon is used to separate two independent clauses that are closely related in thought. An independent clause is a complete sentence that can stand alone, containing both a subject and a verb. When two independent clauses are connected by a semicolon, it indicates a stronger relationship between the clauses than a comma would. For instance, instead of using a conjunction like "and" or "but," the semicolon allows the writer to emphasize the relationship without creating additional conjunctions.

Using a semicolon suggests that the ideas in both clauses are linked, providing a smoother connection and indicating a pause that is longer than a comma but shorter than a period. This punctuation effectively clarifies the relationship between the two ideas, which is why it is the correct choice in this context. The alternative options do not serve this purpose. A comma typically requires a conjunction to join independent clauses, a colon is utilized to introduce related information or lists rather than to join clauses, and a hyphen is used for connecting words or separating syllables rather than joining complete thoughts.