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Difficulty: HardSubordination and Coordination

In the early 1900s, Henrietta Leavitt cataloged variable stars at the Harvard College Observatory. Although she was initially hired as a "computer" to perform calculations, Leavitt's meticulous analysis of photographic plates led to the discovery of the period-luminosity relation. While this landmark finding allowed astronomers to measure the distance to far-off galaxies, but she was not widely recognized for her contributions during her lifetime.

Which of the following is the best replacement for the underlined portion of the sentence?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. B
    This landmark finding allowed astronomers to measure the distance to far-off galaxies, she was
  3. While this landmark finding allowed astronomers to measure the distance to far-off galaxies, she wasAnswer
  4. D
    While this landmark finding allowed astronomers to measure the distance to far-off galaxies; she was

Answer

The choice that retains the subordinating conjunction "While" at the beginning of the clause and removes the coordinating conjunction "but" before the second clause, separating them with a comma.
The correct option properly subordinates the first clause with the conjunction "While" and separates it from the independent clause with a comma, creating a grammatically correct complex sentence that expresses a clear contrast.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the clause structure of the sentence.
The sentence attempts to link a dependent clause expressing concession/contrast with a main independent clause.
Identifying clause types helps determine whether subordinating or coordinating punctuation and conjunctions are needed.
2
Identify the grammatical error in the original sentence.
The original sentence uses both "While" (subordinating) and "but" (coordinating) to connect the same two clauses.
Using two conjunctions to connect two clauses is redundant and structurally invalid, leaving the sentence without a main independent clause.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the grammatically correct structure.
The correct option removes the coordinating conjunction "but" and retains the subordinating conjunction "While" to introduce the dependent clause, separating it from the independent clause with a comma.
This establishes a clear, grammatically correct relationship of contrast between the dependent clause and the independent clause.

Key Concept

Subordination and Coordination
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Topics

Subordination and Coordination

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