Which sentence uses correct capitalization and punctuation?

Which sentence uses correct capitalization and punctuation?

• A. the patient arrived early, and she was ready.
• B. The patient arrived early, and she was ready
• C. The patient arrived Early, and she was ready.
• D. The patient arrived early, and she was ready.

Answer: (C)

Two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction. Each clause could stand alone: “The patient arrived early” and “she was ready.” In standard writing, the sentence must start with a capitalized first word and end with a period. The word describing when she arrived is an adverb, not a proper noun, so it stays lowercase. A comma before the conjunction signals the natural pause between the two independent clauses. So the correct sentence is: The patient arrived early, and she was ready. The other options misplace capitalization, omit terminal punctuation, or capitalize an adverb inappropriately.

Two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction. Each clause could stand alone: “The patient arrived early” and “she was ready.” In standard writing, the sentence must start with a capitalized first word and end with a period. The word describing when she arrived is an adverb, not a proper noun, so it stays lowercase. A comma before the conjunction signals the natural pause between the two independent clauses. So the correct sentence is: The patient arrived early, and she was ready. The other options misplace capitalization, omit terminal punctuation, or capitalize an adverb inappropriately.