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Zorluk: Çok zorRun-on Sentences and Comma Splices

The passage below is from an essay about cognitive development.

Although Chomsky’s theory of universal grammar suggests that the capacity for language is hardwired into the human brain, a concept that dominated twentieth-century linguistics, many contemporary researchers argue instead that language is acquired through general cognitive processes, consequently, they focus on statistical learning in infancy. By analyzing the patterns and frequencies of sounds in their environment, babies can identify word boundaries before they understand their meanings. This data-driven approach suggests that language acquisition is not unique to humans, but rather is an extension of our species' general pattern-recognition abilities.

Which of the following is the most effective and grammatically correct replacement for the underlined portion?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. processes; consequently, they focusCevap
  3. C
    processes; consequently, because they focus
  4. D
    processes, that consequently focus

Cevap

The option stating 'processes; consequently, they focus' is the correct answer because it uses a semicolon to connect the two independent clauses and correctly punctuates the transition word.
The correct option correctly uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses: the first ending with 'processes' and the second beginning with 'they focus.' The conjunctive adverb 'consequently' is properly followed by a comma, establishing a logical cause-and-effect relationship without creating a comma splice.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Analyze the grammatical structure of the clauses before and after the underlined portion.
The clause before the underlined portion is independent, and the clause after ('they focus on statistical learning in infancy') is also independent.
Identifying clause types determines what punctuation and conjunctions are required to connect them.
2
Evaluate the transition word 'consequently' to see if it acts as a coordinating conjunction.
The word 'consequently' is a conjunctive adverb, not a coordinating conjunction.
Conjunctive adverbs cannot join two independent clauses with only a comma, as this creates a comma splice.
3
Examine the alternative options to find one that separates the clauses correctly without creating fragments or punctuation errors.
Using a semicolon before 'consequently' and a comma after it correctly links the clauses. The other choices either create a sentence fragment by introducing a dependent clause or incorrectly place a comma before a restrictive 'that' clause.
A semicolon is standard punctuation for separating independent clauses, while restrictive relative clauses should not be separated from their noun by a comma.

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Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices
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Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

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