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Difficulty: HardCommas with Nonessential and Parenthetical Elements

Organic architecture seeks to promote harmony between human habitation and the natural world. The architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who designed Fallingwater in 1935, revolutionized modern American home design by integrating structures directly into their surroundings. By building the house over a waterfall, he created a masterpiece that seamlessly blended art and nature.

Which of the following choices best punctuates the underlined portion?

  1. Frank Lloyd Wright, who designed Fallingwater in 1935,Answer
  2. B
    Frank Lloyd Wright, who designed Fallingwater in 1935
  3. C
    , Frank Lloyd Wright, who designed Fallingwater in 1935,
  4. D
    Frank Lloyd Wright; who designed Fallingwater in 1935,

Answer

The correct option is the one that has no comma before the name and places commas around the nonessential relative clause: 'Frank Lloyd Wright, who designed Fallingwater in 1935,'.
The correct answer does not place a comma between the noun 'architect' and the essential appositive 'Frank Lloyd Wright,' but it correctly sets off the nonessential relative clause 'who designed Fallingwater in 1935' with commas at both the beginning and the end.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine if the name 'Frank Lloyd Wright' is an essential or nonessential appositive.
Since 'The architect' is a broad category, the specific name is essential to identify who is being discussed, so no comma should precede the name.
Essential (restrictive) elements should not be separated from their referent by commas.
2
Determine if the relative clause 'who designed Fallingwater in 1935' is essential or nonessential.
Because the subject has already been specifically identified by name, this descriptive clause is nonessential.
Nonessential (parenthetical) information must be completely set off by commas.
3
Select the option that matches these rules.
The option that leaves the space before the name unpunctuated and encloses the relative clause with two commas is correct.
This maintains the correct grammatical boundary for both restrictive and nonrestrictive elements.

Key Concept

Commas with Nonessential and Parenthetical Elements
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Topics

Commas with Nonessential and Parenthetical Elements

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