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Difficulty: MediumCommas with Nonessential and Parenthetical Elements

In 1897, the Polish-French physicist Marie Curie began investigating uranium rays for her doctoral thesis. The research project, which she conducted in a drafty shed, soon led to the discovery of radioactivity. The materials that she analyzed during these experiments were highly toxic, but her groundbreaking work changed science forever.

Based on the passage, which option represents the most grammatically correct punctuation for the underlined portion?

  1. project, which she conducted in a drafty shed, soonAnswer
  2. B
    project, which she conducted in a drafty shed soon
  3. C
    project; which she conducted in a drafty shed, soon
  4. D
    project, that she conducted in a drafty shed, soon

Answer

The correct answer is the option that sets off the nonessential relative clause with commas on both sides and uses the relative pronoun 'which'.
The correct answer correctly uses commas to enclose the nonessential relative clause 'which she conducted in a drafty shed'. Because this clause provides non-critical description rather than identifying info, it requires commas on both sides to set it apart from the main clause of the sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine if the clause 'which she conducted in a drafty shed' is essential or nonessential to the meaning of the main sentence.
The clause is nonessential because the main noun 'project' is already identified, and removing this clause does not change the core meaning of the sentence.
Nonessential information must be set off from the rest of the sentence using punctuation (usually commas).
2
Evaluate the correct punctuation and relative pronoun needed for the nonessential clause.
The clause should begin with the relative pronoun 'which' and be enclosed by a pair of commas: one before the clause and one immediately after it.
Enclosing the clause with commas correctly marks it as parenthetical, allowing the sentence to flow naturally.

Key Concept

Punctuation of nonessential relative clauses vs. restrictive relative clauses
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Commas with Nonessential and Parenthetical Elements

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