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Question

Difficulty: MediumCommas with Nonessential and Parenthetical Elements

The following passage contains an underlined portion.

In the early twentieth century, a group of artists shocked the Paris art world with their expressive, non-naturalistic use of color. The French painter Henri Matisse, who pioneered the Fauvism movement, created art that was characterized by bold colors and simplified shapes. His revolutionary style challenged traditional academic representation and paved the way for modern abstract art.

Which choice is the best version of the underlined portion of the passage?

  1. NO CHANGEAnswer
  2. B
    Matisse; who pioneered the Fauvism movement, created art that
  3. C
    Matisse, who pioneered the Fauvism movement created art that
  4. D
    Matisse, who pioneered the Fauvism movement, created art, that

Answer

NO CHANGE
The correct choice properly uses a pair of commas to enclose the nonessential relative clause 'who pioneered the Fauvism movement' and correctly avoids placing a comma before the restrictive clause 'that was characterized by bold colors and simplified shapes'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the nonessential relative clause in the sentence.
The clause 'who pioneered the Fauvism movement' is nonessential (nonrestrictive) because the subject 'Henri Matisse' is already specific and fully identified.
Nonessential elements must be set off from the rest of the sentence using punctuation (usually a pair of commas).
2
Determine the punctuation needed for the nonessential clause and the rest of the underlined portion.
Commas must be placed both before 'who' and after 'movement'. The clause 'that was characterized by bold colors and simplified shapes' is restrictive (essential to define the kind of art Matisse created) and should not be preceded by a comma.
A pair of commas is required to enclose nonessential elements, whereas restrictive clauses must not be set off by commas.

Key Concept

Commas with Nonessential and Parenthetical Elements
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Commas with Nonessential and Parenthetical Elements

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