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Difficulty: MediumCommas with Nonessential and Parenthetical Elements

In the mid-nineteenth century, Ada Lovelace worked closely with Charles Babbage on his plans for the Analytical Engine. Her translation of an article on the machine , which she completed in 1843, contained extensive notes that described the first computer algorithm. Lovelace’s visionary insights earned her a lasting legacy as the world's first computer programmer.

Which option represents the most grammatically correct punctuation for the underlined portion?

  1. NO CHANGEAnswer
  2. B
    , which she completed in 1843
  3. C
    ; which she completed in 1843,
  4. D
    , that she completed in 1843,

Answer

NO CHANGE
The correct option correctly uses a pair of commas to set off the nonessential relative clause 'which she completed in 1843'. This clause provides supplementary details about the translation but is not required for the sentence to make grammatical sense or to specify which translation is meant.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the function of the underlined clause 'which she completed in 1843' within the sentence.
The clause is nonessential (nonrestrictive) because the noun it modifies ('translation') is already uniquely identified by the context.
Nonessential information must be set off from the rest of the sentence by parenthetical punctuation, typically a pair of commas.
2
Evaluate the punctuation surrounding the nonessential clause in each option.
Only the correct option uses a matching pair of commas (one before 'which' and one after '1843') without introducing incorrect punctuation like semicolons or restrictive pronouns like 'that'.
A single comma would leave the clause dangling, a semicolon would create a sentence fragment, and commas cannot be placed around the restrictive pronoun 'that'.

Key Concept

Commas with Nonessential and Parenthetical Elements
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Topics

Commas with Nonessential and Parenthetical Elements

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