Soru

Zorluk: OrtaRun-on Sentences and Comma Splices

The following passage contains an underlined portion.

Marine biologists are currently testing a technique called micro-fragmentation to restore depleted coral reefs. By cutting a single coral colony into tiny pieces, scientists can stimulate rapid growth, indeed, the small fragments grow up to forty times faster than intact colonies. This accelerated development allows researchers to transplant viable corals back into the ocean much sooner than was previously possible.

Which choice best replaces the underlined portion of the passage?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. B
    rapid growth; indeed, the small fragments growing
  3. rapid growth; indeed, the small fragmentsCevap
  4. D
    rapid growth. Indeed, the small fragments because they

Cevap

The correct answer is the option that replaces the comma with a semicolon to separate the two independent clauses, followed by a comma after the transition word 'indeed'.
The correct option correctly uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses ('scientists can stimulate rapid growth' and 'indeed, the small fragments grow up to forty times faster...'). The transitional adverb 'indeed' is followed by a comma, establishing grammatically correct sentence boundaries.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Analyze the structure of the clauses surrounding the underlined portion.
The clauses 'scientists can stimulate rapid growth' and 'the small fragments grow up to forty times faster than intact colonies' are both independent clauses because they contain both a subject and a verb and express complete thoughts.
Determining clause types is necessary to identify punctuation requirements.
2
Identify the punctuation error in the original sentence.
The two independent clauses are joined by a comma and the transitional adverb 'indeed', which constitutes a comma splice error.
Recognizing a comma splice helps eliminate incorrect punctuation choices.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the correct method of linking the independent clauses.
A semicolon is appropriate to separate independent clauses when a transitional adverb is used. The correct choice preserves 'grow' as the main verb, ensuring both clauses remain complete sentences.
This confirms the grammatically correct configuration.

Anahtar Kavram

Two independent clauses must be joined by a period, a semicolon, or a comma paired with a coordinating conjunction. Using a comma alone to join them, even with a transitional adverb like 'indeed', results in a comma splice.
Bu soruyu puanla