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Difficulty: EasyRun-on Sentences and Comma Splices

Paper conservators use specialized techniques to restore damaged historical documents. They carefully clean the fragile fibers using dry sponges, then they apply mild solvents to lift set-in stains. This delicate process requires years of training and a deep knowledge of chemistry.

Which of the following choices is grammatically correct and best improves the underlined portion of the passage?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. and then they apply mild solvents to lift set-in stains.Answer
  3. C
    ; then applying mild solvents to lift set-in stains.
  4. D
    and they apply mild solvents, to lift set-in stains.

Answer

The correct choice is the option that joins the two clauses with 'and then they apply mild solvents to lift set-in stains.'
The correct option joins the two independent clauses using the coordinating conjunction 'and' after a comma, which is grammatically correct and resolves the comma splice without creating new errors.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the two clauses in the sentence.
Clause 1 is 'They carefully clean the fragile fibers using dry sponges' (independent), and Clause 2 is 'they apply mild solvents to lift set-in stains' (independent).
Determining whether the clauses are independent or dependent helps choose the correct punctuation and conjunctions.
2
Evaluate how the two independent clauses are currently joined.
They are joined only by a comma and the adverb 'then'.
Joining two independent clauses with a comma and no coordinating conjunction forms a comma splice, which is a grammatical error.
3
Select the option that corrects the comma splice without introducing new errors.
Adding the coordinating conjunction 'and' before 'then' properly links the clauses, while keeping the infinitive phrase restrictive and unpunctuated.
A comma plus a coordinating conjunction (like 'and') is a standard and correct way to join two independent clauses.

Key Concept

Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices
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Topics

Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

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