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Difficulty: MediumCommas with Nonessential and Parenthetical Elements

Based on the passage below, which option represents the most grammatically correct punctuation for the underlined portion?

In 1936, the British mathematician Alan Turing published a landmark paper introducing the concept of a universal machine. This theoretical device, which could perform any computation, laid the foundation for the modern computer. Today, his work is celebrated as the dawn of the information age.

  1. device, which could perform any computation, laidAnswer
  2. B
    device, that could perform any computation, laid
  3. C
    device, which could perform any computation laid
  4. D
    device; which could perform any computation, laid

Answer

The correct answer is the option stating 'device, which could perform any computation, laid'.
The correct option correctly identifies 'which could perform any computation' as a nonessential clause and encloses it with a pair of commas, separating it from the main clause 'This theoretical device laid the foundation for the modern computer.'

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine if the clause 'which could perform any computation' is restrictive (essential) or nonrestrictive (nonessential) to the sentence's meaning.
The noun phrase 'This theoretical device' already uniquely specifies what is being discussed. Therefore, the clause is nonrestrictive (nonessential) because removing it does not change the core identity of the noun.
Identifying the restrictive or nonrestrictive status of a clause determines whether it must be set off by commas.
2
Apply the punctuation rules for nonessential elements.
A nonessential element must be enclosed by a pair of commas (one at the beginning and one at the end of the element) to separate it from the main clause.
Failing to use a pair of commas or using incorrect punctuation marks like semicolons disrupts sentence structure.

Key Concept

Punctuation of nonessential elements with comma pairs
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Topics

Commas with Nonessential and Parenthetical Elements

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