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Difficulty: MediumRun-on Sentences and Comma Splices

Acoustic ecologists deploy autonomous sound recorders high in tropical forest canopies to monitor biodiversity shifts over extended periods. These durable devices capture thousands of hours of vocalizations from birds, amphibians, and primates, however, analyzing such vast datasets requires sophisticated machine learning algorithms. By automatically identifying species calls, researchers can track wildlife population trends without disturbing delicate habitats.

Which of the following choices best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. primates; however, analyzing such vast datasets requiresAnswer
  3. C
    primates; however, analyzing such vast datasets requiring
  4. D
    primates; because analyzing such vast datasets requires

Answer

The correct option replaces the comma before 'however' with a semicolon: 'primates; however, analyzing such vast datasets requires'.
The sentence consists of two complete independent clauses: 'These durable devices capture thousands of hours of vocalizations from birds, amphibians, and primates' and 'analyzing such vast datasets requires sophisticated machine learning algorithms.' When connecting two independent clauses with a conjunctive adverb like 'however', a semicolon must precede the conjunctive adverb and a comma must follow it. The correct choice provides this structure precisely.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the structure of the clauses surrounding the transition word 'however'.
The clause before 'however' ('These durable devices capture thousands of hours...') and the clause after 'however' ('analyzing such vast datasets requires...') are both independent clauses capable of standing alone as complete sentences.
Determining clause type is essential to choosing proper punctuation.
2
Evaluate the original punctuation.
The original text uses a single comma before 'however' to join two independent clauses, which constitutes a comma splice error.
Conjunctive adverbs like 'however', 'therefore', and 'furthermore' cannot join independent clauses with only a comma.
3
Select the choice that correctly joins the two independent clauses without introducing structural errors.
Using a semicolon before 'however' followed by a comma creates two grammatically complete and properly separated independent clauses.
A semicolon is required when connecting independent clauses linked by a conjunctive adverb.

Key Concept

Joining Independent Clauses with Conjunctive Adverbs
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Topics

Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

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