Which sentence correctly uses a conjunctive adverb to connect two independent clauses?

• A. The team won the game; consequently, they celebrated.
• B. The team won the game; therefore they celebrated.
• C. The team won the game, consequently they celebrated.
• D. The team won the game consequently, they celebrated.

Answer: (A)

Conjunctive adverbs show a relationship between two independent clauses and are set off with a semicolon before them and a comma after. In the correct sentence, the first clause stands alone, then a semicolon introduces the conjunctive adverb and is followed by a comma before the next clause: The team won the game; consequently, they celebrated. This follows the standard punctuation pattern for connecting two independent clauses with a conjunctive adverb.

The other options misplace or omit that comma after the conjunctive adverb or replace the semicolon with just a comma, which creates a run-on or comma splice.