Question #N1217

The following sentence contains a comma splice: "The most recent scientific evidence of the link between sugar consumption and Alzheimer’s disease was published in 2018, and it is generally accepted by the scientific community." Which choice corrects the comma splice in the sentence?

Which choice corrects the comma splice in the sentence?
A. The most recent scientific evidence of the link between sugar consumption and Alzheimer’s disease was published in 2018; and it is generally accepted by the scientific community.
B. The most recent scientific evidence of the link between sugar consumption and Alzheimer’s disease was published in 2018, it is generally accepted by the scientific community.
C. The most recent scientific evidence of the link between sugar consumption and Alzheimer’s disease was published in 2018, however, it is generally accepted by the scientific community.
D. The most recent scientific evidence of the link between sugar consumption and Alzheimer’s disease was published in 2018 because it is generally accepted by the scientific community.

Correct Answer is: C

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined together only by a comma. To correct a comma splice, the two clauses must be joined by a semicolon, a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction, or a period. Choice C is correct because it uses a comma followed by the coordinating conjunction "however" to separate the two independent clauses in the sentence. Choice A is incorrect because the semicolon should be followed by a comma, not "and." Choice B is incorrect because a comma alone cannot separate the two independent clauses in the sentence. Choice D is incorrect because the word "because" is a subordinating conjunction, which should only be used to link a dependent clause to an independent clause.