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Difficulty: EasySubordination and Coordination

During the late nineteenth century, inventor Lewis Latimer played a crucial role in the development of electric lighting. While Thomas Edison is famous for creating the first commercial light bulb, his early paper filaments burned out after only a few hours. Since these paper filaments were fragile, Latimer patented a method for manufacturing durable carbon filaments that lasted significantly longer.

Which of the following options is the grammatically correct way to write the underlined portion of the sentence?

  1. NO CHANGEAnswer
  2. B
    Since these paper filaments were fragile; Latimer
  3. C
    These paper filaments were fragile, Latimer
  4. D
    Because these paper filaments were fragile. Latimer

Answer

The correct answer is the option that keeps the original wording, which correctly uses a subordinating conjunction to form an introductory dependent clause followed by a comma and an independent clause.
The correct option preserves the original sentence, which starts with the dependent clause 'Since these paper filaments were fragile'. An introductory dependent clause must be followed by a comma to correctly connect it to the main independent clause.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the clause structures in the underlined portion and the surrounding sentence.
The clause 'Since these paper filaments were fragile' is a dependent clause because it begins with the subordinating conjunction 'Since'. The clause 'Latimer patented a method...' is an independent clause because it can stand alone as a complete sentence.
Recognizing dependent and independent clauses is essential for determining correct punctuation and conjunction use.
2
Apply the punctuation rule for connecting an introductory dependent clause to an independent clause.
When a dependent clause introduces a sentence, it must be followed by a comma before the independent clause begins.
This avoids sentence fragments, comma splices, and incorrect semicolon usage.

Key Concept

Subordination and Coordination
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Topics

Subordination and Coordination

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