Verbal questions from any Manhattan Prep GMAT Computer Adaptive Test. Topic subject should be the first few words of your question.
sw001
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When to use semicolon

by sw001 Fri Sep 12, 2014 8:58 am

Attached are the two Qs from MGMAT CAT -

In the 1980s advertising revenues accounted for approximately 40% of operating profits of a typical local newspaper; in the 1990s this proportion increased to 57%.
A. newspaper; in the 1990s this proportion increased to 57%.
B. newspaper; in the 1990s they increased by 57%.
C. newspaper, in the 1990s they increased to 57%.
D. newspaper; increasing to 57% in the 1990s.
E. newspaper, which increased to 57% in the 1990s.


Karl Marx divided society into two broad classes, the bourgeoisie and the proletariat; the latter of which, he wrote, was free from the danger of moral decay due to their lack of material property.
A. proletariat; the latter of which, he wrote, was free from the danger of moral decay due to their lack of
B. proletariat, which, he wrote, were free from the danger of moral decay due to their lack of
C. proletariat; the latter, he wrote, was free from the danger of moral decay because of its lack of
D. proletariat, the latter of which he wrote were free from the danger of moral decay because of lacking
E. proletariat, the latter being free, he wrote, from the danger of moral decay because of lacking


In the first one - The correct answer choice A - uses semicolon.
In the second q - The correct answer choice C - does not.
The reason being "latter of which" is dependent(from the answer explanation).

However, in the first one as well, the usage of "this proportion" should be dependent on the first clause. Because until we get information from the first clause of what "this" is, the second clause does not make sense.
From these examples - I can say that the pronouns in one clause where antecedent in residing in the second clause are accepted. Then, why "latter of which" is not. Are there any specific instances like "latter of which" where semicolon cannot be used.