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Difficulty: MediumRun-on Sentences and Comma Splices

Translators working on deciphering ancient Elamite script face significant obstacles, as surviving inscriptions are scarce and highly fragmented. Recent advancements in computational linguistics have allowed researchers to analyze contextual symbol patterns faster than ever before, consequently, several previously untranslatable tablets have finally been decoded. Additional funding will support further cross-disciplinary digital analysis.

Which of the following choices produces a grammatically correct sentence?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. before; consequently, severalAnswer
  3. C
    before; because several
  4. D
    before, that consequently several

Answer

The correct choice uses a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb 'consequently' to separate two independent clauses, resolving the comma splice.
The sentence consists of two independent clauses linked by the conjunctive adverb 'consequently'. Standard English conventions require a semicolon (or period) before a conjunctive adverb when it connects independent clauses, followed by a comma. The option providing 'before; consequently, several' satisfies this structural rule.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the clause structure on both sides of the underlined portion.
The clause before the underlined portion ('Recent advancements... faster than ever before') and the clause after ('several previously untranslatable tablets have finally been decoded') are both complete independent clauses capable of standing alone.
Recognizing independent clauses is essential for determining proper punctuation rules.
2
Evaluate the grammatical function of 'consequently'.
'Consequently' is a conjunctive adverb, not a coordinating conjunction (such as 'and', 'but', or 'so').
A conjunctive adverb connecting two independent clauses must be preceded by a semicolon or a period, not merely a comma.
3
Select the option that properly joins the two independent clauses without creating a fragment or splice.
The option adding a semicolon before 'consequently' followed by a comma creates correct compound sentence punctuation.
A semicolon effectively links two closely related independent clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb.

Key Concept

Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices
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Topics

Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

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