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Which of the following sentences contains a comma error? 
  • a)
    While Washington managed to lose most of the battles he engaged in, he also managed to win the war.
  • b)
    The loss of New York City and Philadelphia in 1777 should have ended the rebellion, but four years later, George Washington stood upon a battlefield in Virginia watching Britain's most powerful army in the colonies parade past him in surrender.   
  • c)
    We have put Washington's image on monuments and mountains, on currency and coins, and on stamps and postmarks; we have filled our country, our pockets, and our envelopes with memorials large and small to this essential man.
  • d)
    Washington's greatest quality might have been his belief in his own abilities, in the lesser men who served with him, that attribute all too often led to personal failure and military disaster.
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Saranya Sharma answered
Error Identification

The task requires identifying a sentence that contains a comma error. The options are:

a) While Washington managed to lose most of the battles he engaged in, he also managed to win the war.

b) The loss of New York City and Philadelphia in 1777 should have ended the rebellion, but four years later, George Washington stood upon a battlefield in Virginia watching Britain's most powerful army in the colonies parade past him in surrender.

c) We have put Washington's image on monuments and mountains, on currency and coins, and on stamps and postmarks; we have filled our country, our pockets, and our envelopes with memorials large and small to this essential man.

d) Washington's greatest quality might have been his belief in his own abilities, in the lesser men who served with him, that attribute all too often led to personal failure and military disaster.

Answer

The sentence with a comma error is option D: "Washington's greatest quality might have been his belief in his own abilities, in the lesser men who served with him, that attribute all too often led to personal failure and military disaster."

Explanation

The sentence has a misplaced comma that creates a run-on sentence. The phrase "in the lesser men who served with him" is a non-restrictive clause that provides additional information about Washington's belief in his own abilities. However, the comma after "him" separates the clause from its antecedent, "the lesser men who served with him," creating an incomplete sentence. To correct the error, the comma after "him" should be removed, or a conjunction should be added before the second "in" to complete the sentence.

Overall, option D contains a comma error that results in a run-on sentence.

Put appropriate punctuation marks in the following sentences.
It was my aunt who took Peter to London yesterday not my father.
Correct answer is 'It was my aunt who took Peter to London yesterday, not my father.'. Can you explain this answer?

Baishali Nair answered
Introduction:
Punctuation is an essential aspect of writing. It helps convey meaning and clarity to the reader. In this question, we are asked to put appropriate punctuation marks in a given sentence.

Explanation:
The given sentence is: It was my aunt who took Peter to London yesterday not my father.

The correct answer is: It was my aunt who took Peter to London yesterday, not my father.

The sentence requires a comma to separate the two clauses and indicate a contrast between them. The sentence has two independent clauses:

- It was my aunt who took Peter to London yesterday
- Not my father

The use of a comma helps to show that the second clause is a contrast to the first clause.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the correct punctuation for the given sentence is a comma. The use of punctuation marks is essential to convey meaning and clarity to the reader. In this case, the comma helps to indicate a contrast between two clauses.

Which types of punctuation are generally used to separate independent clauses in declarative sentences in academic writing? 
  • a)
    commas and quotation marks
  • b)
    periods and semi-colons
  • c)
     commas and periods
  • d)
     colons and quotation marks
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Independent Clauses in Declarative Sentences in Academic Writing
Independent clauses in declarative sentences in academic writing are typically separated by periods and semi-colons. This punctuation helps to clearly delineate the different ideas being presented in the text and maintain coherence and readability.

Periods
- Periods are commonly used to separate independent clauses that can stand alone as complete sentences. Each independent clause ends with a period, indicating a full stop and a new idea or thought.

Semi-colons
- Semi-colons are used to connect closely related independent clauses in a single sentence. They indicate a stronger separation than a comma but a weaker division than a period. In academic writing, semi-colons are often used to show a close relationship between two independent clauses.
Using periods and semi-colons to separate independent clauses in academic writing helps to improve the clarity of the text and guide the reader through complex ideas. By adhering to proper punctuation rules, writers can ensure that their writing is coherent, structured, and easy to follow.

Which of the following sentences is correctly punctuated?
  • a)
    Only three social science disciplines are represented at our college - psychology, sociology, and anthropology.
  • b)
    Only three social science disciplines are represented at our college: psychology, sociology, and anthropology.
  • c)
    Only three social science disciplines - psychology, sociology, and anthropology  - are represented at our college: .
  • d)
    All of the above sentences are punctuated corrrectly.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Prapti Desai answered
Explanation:



Let's analyze each option to determine which one is correctly punctuated:



a) Only three social science disciplines are represented at our college - psychology, sociology, and anthropology.


This sentence uses a dash to separate the list of disciplines from the rest of the sentence. However, the use of a dash here is incorrect because it creates a fragmented sentence. The sentence lacks a main clause before the dash, making it grammatically incorrect.



b) Only three social science disciplines are represented at our college: psychology, sociology, and anthropology.


This sentence correctly uses a colon to introduce the list of disciplines. The colon is used to indicate that the list is about to follow. The sentence is grammatically correct and effectively punctuated.



c) Only three social science disciplines - psychology, sociology, and anthropology - are represented at our college.


This sentence uses dashes to set off the list of disciplines. The use of dashes here is correct because it helps to add emphasis and set off the list within the sentence. The sentence is grammatically correct and effectively punctuated.



d) All of the above sentences are punctuated correctly.


This option is incorrect because option a) is not correctly punctuated, as explained above. Therefore, the correct answer is option c) Only three social science disciplines - psychology, sociology, and anthropology - are represented at our college.

 Which of the following comma rules is incorrect?
  • a)
    Place commas after introductory elements in sentences.
  • b)
    Place commas after items in a series.q
  • c)
     Place a comma before coordinating conjunctions that join independent clauses.
  • d)
    Set off restrictive, essential elements with commas.
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Sohini Das answered
Understanding Comma Rules
When analyzing comma rules, it's crucial to distinguish between restrictive and non-restrictive elements. The correct answer, option 'D', states that restrictive, essential elements should be set off with commas, which is incorrect.
What are Restrictive Elements?
- Restrictive elements are essential to the meaning of a sentence.
- They provide necessary information about the noun they modify.
Example of Restrictive Elements:
- "The book that you lent me is fascinating."
- Here, "that you lent me" is restrictive because it specifies which book is being referred to.
Comma Usage with Restrictive Elements:
- Incorrect: "The book, that you lent me, is fascinating."
- Correct: "The book that you lent me is fascinating."
Why No Commas?
- Using commas around restrictive elements creates confusion by suggesting that the information is additional or non-essential when it is, in fact, necessary for understanding.
Comparing with Non-Restrictive Elements:
- Non-restrictive elements, on the other hand, add extra information but are not essential.
Example of Non-Restrictive Elements:
- "The book, which you lent me, is fascinating."
- Here, "which you lent me" provides additional information.
Conclusion:
- In summary, restrictive elements should not be set off with commas, making option 'D' the incorrect rule. Understanding this distinction enhances clarity in writing and ensures proper comma usage.

Put appropriate punctuation marks in the following sentences.
He neither smiled spoke nor looked at me
Correct answer is 'He neither smiled, spoke, nor looked at me.'. Can you explain this answer?

Arjun Iyer answered
Answer:

The correct punctuation for the given sentence is: "He neither smiled, spoke, nor looked at me." Let's understand the reasons behind this choice by analyzing the sentence structure and the rules of punctuation.

Sentence Structure:
The sentence in question is a compound sentence that includes three parallel actions: smiled, spoke, and looked at me. These actions are connected by the coordinating conjunction "nor" which indicates a negative correlation between them.

Rules of Punctuation:
1. Commas: Commas are used to separate items in a list or to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence.
2. Parallelism: Parallelism is the use of similar grammatical structures in a sentence to express equal or related ideas. When listing multiple items or actions, parallelism should be maintained.

Explanation:
Let's break down the sentence and apply the appropriate punctuation:

Original Sentence: He neither smiled spoke nor looked at me.

1. Smiled, Spoke, Looked at me: These are three parallel actions that should be separated by commas to indicate a list. However, in the original sentence, there are no commas between them.

2. Coordinating Conjunction: The coordinating conjunction "nor" is used to connect the parallel actions. However, in the original sentence, there are no commas before or after "nor."

3. Commas for Clarity: Commas are necessary to improve the clarity and readability of the sentence. They help to separate the actions and make the sentence easier to understand.

Applying the rules of punctuation, the corrected sentence becomes: "He neither smiled, spoke, nor looked at me." This revised sentence clearly presents the parallel actions with the appropriate use of commas and the coordinating conjunction "nor."

Revised Sentence: He neither smiled, spoke, nor looked at me.

By following the rules of punctuation and maintaining parallelism, the revised sentence becomes grammatically correct and effectively conveys the intended meaning.

Put appropriate punctuation marks in the following sentences.
Long ago in a distant country there lived a beautiful princess
Correct answer is 'Long ago, in a distant country, there lived a beautiful princess.'. Can you explain this answer?

Understanding the Need for Commas
When constructing sentences, punctuation plays a crucial role in enhancing clarity and readability. In the example given, the placement of commas helps in separating different elements of the sentence.
Key Reasons for Using Commas
- Introductory Phrase: The phrase "Long ago" is an introductory element. Commas are typically used after introductory phrases to set the stage for the main clause. This helps the reader pause and prepares them for the primary message of the sentence.
- Additional Descriptive Element: The phrase "in a distant country" provides additional information about where the princess lives. Using a comma before this phrase clarifies that it is supplementary information, allowing readers to understand that it modifies the main clause without confusing it.
Improved Clarity and Flow
- Readability: By inserting commas, the sentence becomes easier to read. It breaks up the information, allowing for a natural rhythm that aids comprehension.
- Prevents Misinterpretation: Without the commas, the sentence might be read too quickly, potentially leading to misunderstandings about the relationships between the elements of the sentence.
Final Sentence Structure
The corrected sentence, "Long ago, in a distant country, there lived a beautiful princess," effectively uses commas to separate the introductory phrase and the additional descriptive phrase, enhancing the overall clarity and flow of the sentence. This structured approach is essential in effective writing, particularly in formal contexts like the GMAT.

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