Writing Question Improving Sentences

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>Alright let me get straight to the questions.
1.
(Being cleaner and longer-burning compared with) bituminous coal, anthracite was the first coal widely used in the United States for both domestic and industrial purposes.
A) same
C) Cleaner and longer-burning than
D) By burning longer and more clean</p>

<p>Answer is C. I think it has to do with the comparative forms but "longer-burning" doesn't make sense to me. </p>

<p>2.
The fruit fly is often used to study genetic (mechanisms, because it reproduces rapidly) scientists can observe the effects of experiments on several generations.
A) Same
B) mechanisms, since it reproduces rapidly,
D) mechanisms; because it reproduces rapidly,</p>

<p>Answer is D</p>

<p>Grammatical explanations are appreciated thanks.</p>

2

<p>In the first sentence the actual meaning is that"Since bituminous coal is cleaner and longer-burning, thats why anthracite is used"…Don’t you think its just the opposite, why would they not use bituminous coal instead of Anthacite, if it’s INDEED cleaner and longer burning.
Choice C, removes this ambiguity. “Since anthracites are cleaner and longer burning than bituminous coals hence they are used widely.”</p>

<p>This is a classic case of Run ON sentence… The actual sentence is not clear in its meaning…Is it? Look clearly. The fruit fly is often used to study genetic mech. because it reproduces rapidly scientists… ??? Doesn’t it hear a bit umm odd…out o f place perhaps, as if something should be inserted.
THe correction is done by making a slight pause with the semicolon (:wink: and using a comma (,). Thus the new meaning stands that" The fruit fly is use to study genetic mechanism; because it reproduces rapidly, (hence and because of this) scientists can observe the effects of experiments on several generation". Isn’t this more meaningful now?</p>

<p>I hope this helps. Cheers.</p>

<p>Ooops, i tried to put a semicolon sign there but oddly it shows a joking blue smiley!</p>

3

<p>Thank you, but I’m still confused on when to use commas and when to use semicolons. Does anyone have any good tips?</p>

<p>Also for the first question, is D wrong because it starts with “By” or is it wrong because longer and more clean are in different forms?</p>

4

<p>1 is obviously not D, so A doesn’t sound correct… so C. (D uses passive voice and generally sounds awkward to me)</p>

<p>2) Semicolon is needed to correct the error (Independent;subord).</p>

5

<p>Semicolons vs. commas:</p>

<p>Commas are used to connect an independent clause and a dependent clause. In other words: one complete sentence and one incomplete sentence. I don’t know if I have to get into what constitutes a sentence, but here are some examples:</p>

<ul>
<li>After the hospital had completed its fund-raising campaign (INCOMPLETE introductory phrase), a donor contributed an additional $10,000 (COMPLETE).</li>
<li>From the east wall to the west (INCOMPLETE introductory phrase), her cottage measures twenty feet (COMPLETE).</li>
<li>Yesterday was her brother’s birthday (COMPLETE), so she took him out to dinner (INCOMPLETE, since this begins with the conjunction “so”).</li>
</ul>

<p>Some conjunctions that commonly follow commas: because, or, and, although, so.</p>

<p>Semicolons connect two closely related independent clauses. Think of them as “stronger” than a comma but “weaker” than a period - they link the sentences together without separating them entirely like a period would. What they have in common, though, is that both parts on either side of a semicolon can also stand on their own. So if you’re not sure whether to use a semicolon or a comma, just stick in a period and see if it would work. If it can, you need a semicolon.</p>

<ul>
<li>Abdominal exercises help prevent back pain (COMPLETE SENTENCE); proper posture is also important (COMPLETE).</li>
<li>It rained heavily during the afternoon (COMPLETE); we managed to have our picnic anyway (COMPLETE).</li>
<li>The auditors made six recommendations (COMPLETE); however, only one has been adopted so far (COMPLETE).</li>
<li>They couldn’t make it to the summit and back before dark (COMPLETE); therefore, they decided to camp for the night (COMPLETE).</li>
</ul>

<p>Some conjunctive adverbs that commonly follow semicolons: however, nevertheless, thus, moreover, therefore, otherwise. Hope that helps!</p>

6

<p>OK that makes sense now thanks everyone.</p>