A student is writing an informative paragraph about the history of the internet. They have written the following sentence: "The internet, which was originally developed by the U.S. military, has since become a global communication network." The student wants to combine this information with another sentence: "It allows billions of users worldwide to share information and connect." Which of the following combines these sentences most effectively and grammatically?
- AHaving been originally developed by the U.S. military, the internet has since become a global communication network, and it allows billions of users worldwide to share information and connect.
- BThe internet, which was originally developed by the U.S. military, and it has since become a global communication network, allowing billions of users worldwide to share information and connect.
- CThe internet was originally developed by the U.S. military; it has since become a global communication network, allowing billions of users worldwide to share information and connect.
- DOriginally developed by the U.S. military, the internet has since become a global communication network, allowing billions of users worldwide to share information and connect.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Originally developed by the U.S. military, the internet has since become a global communication network, allowing billions of users worldwide to share information and connect.
Option B uses a participial phrase ('Originally developed by the U.S. military') to efficiently combine the initial information, then flows directly into the main clause and a subsequent participial phrase ('allowing billions...') to describe its current function, creating a concise and grammatically sound sentence.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This option is grammatically correct but slightly more wordy than option B due to the 'and it allows' construction, which could be more smoothly integrated.
- B. This option creates a run-on sentence by using 'and it' to connect the clauses without proper punctuation or structure.
- C. This option uses a semicolon, which is grammatically correct for connecting two independent clauses, but it doesn't achieve the same level of conciseness or flow as option B.
Sentence Combining
Sentence combining is a writing technique that involves joining two or more short sentences or clauses into a single, longer, more complex, and more sophisticated sentence to improve flow, conciseness, and clarity.
- Uses conjunctions (and, but, or, so, yet, for, nor).
- Uses conjunctive adverbs (however, therefore, moreover).
- Uses relative pronouns (who, which, that) to create dependent clauses.
- Uses participial phrases (-ing, -ed) or appositives to add descriptive details.
- Aims to reduce redundancy and improve sentence variety.
Memory trick: Connect, condense, clarify: make your sentences fly!