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Difficulty: HardSemicolons

A single whale fall can support a complex ecological community for decades, in fact, researchers have identified distinct successional stages that host specialized species found nowhere else on the ocean floor.

Which choice best punctuates the underlined portion of the sentence?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. decades; in fact, researchersAnswer
  3. C
    decades; since, in fact, researchers
  4. D
    decades; which, in fact, researchers

Answer

decades; in fact, researchers
The correct option correctly uses a semicolon to separate two closely related independent clauses. The transitional phrase 'in fact' is correctly followed by a comma.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the clauses on either side of the underline to determine if they are independent or dependent.
The first clause ('A single whale fall can support a complex ecological community for decades') is independent. The second clause ('in fact, researchers have identified distinct successional stages...') is also independent, containing both a subject ('researchers') and a verb ('have identified') to express a complete thought.
Correct punctuation depends on the structural relationship between the connected clauses.
2
Evaluate how transitional adverbs connect independent clauses.
Transitional adverbs like 'in fact' cannot connect independent clauses with only a comma, as this creates a comma splice. They must be preceded by a semicolon (or period) and followed by a comma.
A semicolon is needed to avoid a comma splice while maintaining the logical flow between the two closely related sentences.
3
Check the other options to ensure no fragments or incorrect dependent clauses are created.
Adding 'since' or 'which' introduces a subordinating element, turning the second clause into a dependent clause. Separating it with a semicolon then results in a fragment error.
Semicolons can only connect two independent clauses; they cannot connect an independent clause to a dependent clause.

Key Concept

Using a semicolon to link two independent clauses, particularly when the second clause begins with a transitional adverb or phrase.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Semicolons

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