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Difficulty: EasySubordination and Coordination

Consider the following excerpt from a passage about the history of computing:

"In the mid-twentieth century, early computers were massive machines that filled entire rooms, modern microprocessors allow us to carry equivalent computing power in our pockets."

Which of the following is the most grammatically correct replacement for the underlined portion?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. rooms, but modern microprocessorsAnswer
  3. C
    rooms; although modern microprocessors
  4. D
    rooms, modern microprocessors, which

Answer

rooms, but modern microprocessors
The correct answer is the option that inserts the coordinating conjunction 'but' after the comma. This correctly connects the two independent clauses while showing the contrast between them.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the two clauses in the sentence to determine if they are independent or dependent.
The first clause ('early computers were massive machines that filled entire rooms') and the second clause ('modern microprocessors allow us to carry equivalent computing power in our pockets') are both independent clauses because they can each stand alone as a complete sentence.
Identifying the clause type is necessary to apply correct punctuation and conjunction rules.
2
Select the appropriate punctuation and conjunction to link these clauses grammatically.
To join two independent clauses, a coordinating conjunction (such as 'but') preceded by a comma is required. Subordinating conjunctions or relative pronouns would turn the second clause into a fragment.
A coordinating conjunction like 'but' properly connects two complete thoughts while highlighting the contrast between past and present technology.

Key Concept

Two independent clauses must be joined using a semicolon or a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). Using a comma alone results in a comma splice, while introducing a subordinating conjunction after a semicolon results in a fragment.
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Subordination and Coordination

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