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Difficulty: HardRun-on Sentences and Comma Splices

The following passage is an excerpt from an article on architectural conservation.

To preserve the structural integrity of ancient masonry, historic preservationists must carefully select mortar that matches the original recipe. Using modern Portland cement, which is much harder than traditional lime-based mixtures, can trap moisture inside the historic bricks, subsequently, they will expand and crack during winter freeze-thaw cycles. Therefore, analyzing a historic building’s mortar composition under a microscope is a critical first step before any physical restoration begins.

Which of the following options is the most grammatically correct replacement for the underlined portion of the passage?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. bricks; subsequently, theyAnswer
  3. C
    bricks. Subsequently, because they
  4. D
    bricks; which subsequently

Answer

The correct option is the one that uses a semicolon and the transitional adverb, which successfully separates the two independent clauses.
The correct option correctly uses a semicolon to separate the two independent clauses. Since the second clause begins with the transitional adverb, a semicolon is required before it to avoid a comma splice, and a comma is placed after it to set it off.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the clause boundary in the sentence.
The text before the underlined portion is an independent clause, and the text starting with the pronoun is also an independent clause.
Determining clause types is necessary to choose the correct punctuation and conjunctions.
2
Evaluate the relationship between the clauses and identify the error in the original sentence.
The two clauses are joined by a comma and a transitional adverb, which creates a comma splice.
Independent clauses cannot be joined by a comma alone or with a transitional adverb.
3
Select the option that correctly separates the two independent clauses without introducing new errors.
A semicolon correctly joins the two independent clauses, followed by a comma after the transitional adverb.
Using a period or a semicolon with a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun creates a fragment.

Key Concept

Resolving comma splices and run-on sentences using appropriate punctuation and conjunctions.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

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