Examkin

Question

Difficulty: HardRun-on Sentences and Comma Splices

To track environmental health, acoustic ecologists deploy remote recording devices in diverse habitats. These instruments gather vast amounts of audio data, however, analyzing these recordings requires sophisticated machine learning algorithms. By separating the biophony—the sounds of living organisms—from anthrophony, researchers can track biodiversity trends over decades.

Which of the following options best corrects the underlined portion of the passage?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. data; however, analyzingAnswer
  3. C
    data; however, because analyzing
  4. D
    data. Although analyzing

Answer

The choice that reads 'data; however, analyzing' is the correct answer.
The correct choice properly joins two independent clauses by placing a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb 'however' and a comma after it, resolving the comma splice.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the clauses around the transition.
The clauses 'These instruments gather vast amounts of audio data' and 'analyzing these recordings requires sophisticated machine learning algorithms' are both independent clauses.
Each clause contains a subject and a verb and can stand alone as a complete sentence.
2
Determine the type of transition word being used.
The word 'however' is a conjunctive adverb, not a coordinating conjunction.
Conjunctive adverbs require a semicolon (or a period) before them and a comma after them when joining two independent clauses.
3
Select the correct punctuation to join the independent clauses.
A semicolon must precede 'however' and a comma must follow it.
This punctuation resolves the comma splice without introducing grammatical fragments.

Key Concept

Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices
Rate this question

Topics

Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

More questions from this topic