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Difficulty: MediumSentence Fragments

In the early eighteenth century, Berlin colormaker Johann Jacob Diesbach accidentally synthesized Prussian blue, the first modern synthetic pigment. Because he used a batch of potash contaminated with animal blood.

Which of the following choices best restores grammatical correctness to the underlined portion of the sentence?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. B
    pigment; because he used
  3. C
    pigment, he used
  4. pigment after he usedAnswer

Answer

The correct option is the one that reads 'pigment after he used', which removes the period and connects the dependent clause to form a single cohesive and grammatically complete sentence.
The correct option properly integrates the dependent clause into the sentence by replacing the period and subordinating conjunction, producing a single grammatically correct sentence with a logical transition.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical issue in the original sentence.
The clause starting with 'Because' is a dependent clause, resulting in a sentence fragment when separated by a period.
A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
2
Evaluate the grammar of the alternative options.
The semicolon option creates a fragment by separating a dependent clause; the comma option creates a comma splice; the option with 'after' connects the clauses correctly.
Appropriate linking words and punctuation are required to join dependent and independent clauses without causing run-ons or fragments.

Key Concept

Identifying and correcting sentence fragments caused by isolated dependent clauses.
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Topics

Sentence Fragments

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