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Question

Difficulty: EasyCommas with Lists, Clauses, and Coordinate Adjectives

During the excavation of the ancient ruins, although the archaeologist carefully brushed away the dust she still could not decipher the faint carvings on the stone tablet.

Which choice is the best version of the underlined portion?

  1. A
    although the archaeologist carefully brushed away the dust
  2. although the archaeologist carefully brushed away the dust,Answer
  3. C
    although the archaeologist carefully brushed away the dust;
  4. D
    although the archaeologist, carefully brushed away the dust

Answer

although the archaeologist carefully brushed away the dust,
The correct answer correctly places a comma at the end of the introductory dependent clause ('although the archaeologist carefully brushed away the dust,') before the main clause begins. This follows the standard punctuation rule that an introductory adverbial or dependent clause must be set off by a comma.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the clause structure of the sentence.
The sentence begins with a dependent clause starting with the subordinating conjunction 'although' ('although the archaeologist carefully brushed away the dust'), followed by an independent clause ('she still could not decipher...').
Understanding clause boundaries helps determine where commas are required to separate distinct ideas.
2
Apply the rule for introductory dependent clauses.
When a dependent clause introduces a sentence, it must be separated from the independent clause with a comma.
This punctuation is necessary to guide the reader and indicate where the main clause begins.
3
Select the option that correctly implements this rule without introducing other errors.
The option adding a comma after 'dust' is correct. The other options either omit the comma, use an incorrect semicolon, or insert an erroneous comma between the subject and the verb.
This ensures the sentence is grammatically correct and clear.

Key Concept

Using a comma to set off an introductory dependent clause from an independent clause.
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Commas with Lists, Clauses, and Coordinate Adjectives

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