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“A group of friends, gathering to celebrate a special occasion, can be a magical event, especially when they are all there in the same place, at the same time.” The above sentence contains an error in the use of commas. What is the most logical way to correct the sentence?

SAT · English · previous-year question

  1. A.A group of friends, gathering to celebrate a special occasion, can be a magical event especially when they are all there in the same place, at the same time.
  2. B.A group of friends gathering to celebrate a special occasion, can be a magical event, especially when they are all there in the same place, at the same time.
  3. C.A group of friends gathering to celebrate a special occasion can be a magical event, especially when they are all there in the same place, at the same time.correct
  4. D.A group of friends gathering to celebrate a special occasion, can be a magical event, especially when they are all there in the same place at the same time.

Answer

C. A group of friends gathering to celebrate a special occasion can be a magical event, especially when they are all there in the same place, at the same time.

Explanation

The comma after "occasion" is incorrect because it separates the subject, "event," from the verb, "can be." The sentence requires a comma only after the introductory phrase "A group of friends gathering to celebrate a special occasion." Choice A is incorrect because it still separates the subject from the verb with a comma. Choice B is incorrect because it still separates the subject from the verb with a comma. Choice D is incorrect because it separates the prepositional phrase "at the same time" from the rest of the sentence.

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