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Zorluk: KolayPunctuation of Nonessential Elements

The mimic octopus ______ possesses an extraordinary ability to impersonate other marine species. By dynamically altering its shape, color, and movement, this clever cephalopod can mimic creatures such as flatfish, lionfish, and sea snakes. Marine biologists have observed that the animal adjusts its behavior depending on the specific threat it faces, demonstrating an impressive level of situational awareness.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. , a unique cephalopod native to the Indo-Pacific,Cevap
  2. B
    , a unique cephalopod native to the Indo-Pacific—
  3. C
    —a unique cephalopod native to the Indo-Pacific,
  4. D
    a unique cephalopod native to the Indo-Pacific,

Cevap

The option that correctly uses a matching pair of commas: ', a unique cephalopod native to the Indo-Pacific,'
The phrase 'a unique cephalopod native to the Indo-Pacific' is a nonessential appositive that provides extra information about the subject 'The mimic octopus.' Because the main clause remains grammatically complete without it, this nonessential element must be set off from the rest of the sentence using a matching pair of punctuation marks. The correct option uses a matching pair of commas (one before the phrase and one after it) to correctly set off the nonessential element.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Identify the subject of the sentence and the core clause to determine if the intervening phrase is essential or nonessential.
The core clause is 'The mimic octopus possesses an extraordinary ability...' which is grammatically complete on its own. The phrase 'a unique cephalopod native to the Indo-Pacific' is a nonessential appositive.
Nonessential elements must be set off from the rest of the sentence with matching punctuation marks.
2
Analyze the punctuation surrounding the nonessential phrase in each option to look for matching pairs.
Only the option using two commas provides a matched pair on both sides of the phrase. Other options combine different marks (a comma and an em dash, or an em dash and a comma) or omit one of the marks entirely.
Standard English conventions require that nonessential elements be set off with symmetrical punctuation (comma-comma, dash-dash, or parenthesis-parenthesis).

Anahtar Kavram

Setting off nonessential elements with symmetrical punctuation marks (matching commas, em dashes, or parentheses).
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