Which syntactic structure is illustrated by combining two independent clauses in a sentence?

• A. Coordination
• B. Subordination
• C. Ellipsis
• D. Nominalization

Answer: (A)

Joining two independent clauses is coordination. This structure treats both statements as equal in weight and links them with a coordinating device like and, but, or (and you can also use a semicolon). Each clause could stand alone as its own sentence, but pairing them shows a relationship between two complete thoughts. For example: “The sun set, and the stars appeared.” Two independent ideas—sun setting and stars appearing—are connected to express a sequence or relation.

Subordination would mix a dependent clause with an independent one, so one part can’t stand alone. Ellipsis involves omitting repeating words, not linking two full clauses. Nominalization turns actions into nouns, not about combining two independent clauses.