16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsMediumFixing a run-on sentence

Standard English Conventions practice question

Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity ____ this process produces no emissions during operation.

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

  1. A. electricity, this
  2. B. electricity; thisCorrect
  3. C. electricity this
  4. D. electricity and, this

Answer: B. electricity; this

Each side of the blank is a complete sentence. A semicolon is the correct way to join two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction.

Why the other answers are wrong

A. electricity, this
A comma alone between two complete sentences is a comma splice. It needs a semicolon, or a comma plus a conjunction.
C. electricity this
With no punctuation, the two sentences fuse into a run-on. The boundary needs a mark.
D. electricity and, this
The comma belongs BEFORE a joining conjunction, not after it. 'electricity and, this' puts it in the wrong place and separates 'and' from the clause it joins.

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