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Difficulty: MediumRun-on Sentences and Comma Splices

Psychologist Leon Festinger first proposed the theory of cognitive dissonance in 1957. When individuals hold two conflicting beliefs, they experience psychological discomfort, consequently, they are motivated to resolve this tension by altering their attitudes. This drive to reduce discomfort explains many otherwise puzzling human behaviors.

Which option best corrects the underlined portion of the passage?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. discomfort; consequently, they are motivated to resolve this tensionAnswer
  3. C
    discomfort; consequently because they are motivated to resolve this tension
  4. D
    discomfort, that they are motivated to resolve

Answer

The correct choice is the one that uses a semicolon to separate the two independent clauses and follows the conjunctive adverb with a comma: 'discomfort; consequently, they are motivated to resolve this tension'.
The correct option correctly uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses. The conjunctive adverb 'consequently' is then followed by a comma, which is the proper punctuation pattern for linking two complete thoughts with a transition.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the structure of the clauses surrounding the underlined portion.
The clause before the underline ('When individuals hold two conflicting beliefs, they experience psychological discomfort') is independent, and the clause after ('they are motivated to resolve this tension by altering their attitudes') is also independent.
Identifying the clause types helps determine whether they can be joined by a comma, semicolon, or conjunction.
2
Evaluate the transition word and punctuation connecting these clauses.
The transition word 'consequently' is a conjunctive adverb. Two independent clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb must be separated by a semicolon (or a period) before the adverb and a comma after it.
Using only a comma with a conjunctive adverb creates a comma splice, which is a grammatical error.
3
Evaluate the other options to ensure they do not introduce new errors.
Adding 'because' after the semicolon makes the second clause dependent, creating a fragment. Using 'that' with a comma incorrectly punctuates a restrictive clause. The only grammatically sound option is using a semicolon followed by a comma after the transition.
Eliminating options with structural or punctuation errors confirms the correct choice.

Key Concept

Two independent clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb must be separated by a semicolon and followed by a comma to avoid run-on sentences and comma splices.
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Topics

Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

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