Question

Which sentence is written correctly? A. The city, supposedly filled with gold, was a fable, the hungry explorers would never find it. B. The city, supposedly filled with gold, was a fable and the tired explorers would never find it. C. The city, supposedly filled with gold, was a fable; and the tired explorers would never find it.

Answer 1

C. The city, supposedly filled with gold, was a fable; and the tired explorers would never find it.

Option A has the error of a comma splice.  The comma placed after “fable” is causing this error.  A comma splice is when a comma is used when, in fact, a comma/conjunction, semicolon, or period should have been used.  Option B is a run-on sentence.  A run-on sentence is basically a sentence with two complete thoughts (independent clauses/complete sentences) that is missing the appropriate punctuation between them.  In Option B, a comma should have been placed after “fable” in order to prevent a run on.  Note the conjunction after “fable” in Option B is what will prevent a comma placed after “fable” from being a comma splice.  Option C is correctly written because the semicolon is accurately placed between two independent clauses.  

Answer 2

C The city, was supposedly filled with gold, was a fable; and the tired explorers would never find it.