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Antigenic shift

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by jain2016 » Sun May 01, 2016 2:15 am
Antigenic shift refers to the combination of two different strains of influenza; in contrast, antigenic drift refers to the natural mutation of a single strain of influenza.

A) influenza; in contrast, antigenic drift refers to the natural mutation of a single strain of influenza
B) influenza, different than the natural mutation of a single strain, known as antigenic drift
C) influenza, in contrast to the natural mutation of a single strain, known as antigenic drift
D)influenza, different than antigenic drift, which refers to the natural mutation of a single strain of influenza
E) influenza; in contrast to antigenic drift, which refers to the natural mutation of a single strain of influenza

OAA

Hi Experts ,

Please explain optionE

Many thanks in advance.

SJ
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Source: — Sentence Correction |

by DavidG@VeritasPrep » Sun May 01, 2016 1:36 pm
jain2016 wrote:Antigenic shift refers to the combination of two different strains of influenza; in contrast, antigenic drift refers to the natural mutation of a single strain of influenza.

A) influenza; in contrast, antigenic drift refers to the natural mutation of a single strain of influenza
B) influenza, different than the natural mutation of a single strain, known as antigenic drift
C) influenza, in contrast to the natural mutation of a single strain, known as antigenic drift
D)influenza, different than antigenic drift, which refers to the natural mutation of a single strain of influenza
E) influenza; in contrast to antigenic drift, which refers to the natural mutation of a single strain of influenza

OAA

Hi Experts ,

Please explain optionE

Many thanks in advance.

SJ
The semi-colon in E, if used correctly, would separate two independent clauses. in contrast to antigenic drift, which refers to the natural mutation of a single strain of influenza is not an independent clause - it could not stand on its own as a complete sentence.

A simplified version: antigenic drift refers to a natural mutation = independent clause
antigenic drift, which refers to a natural mutation = noun + modifying relative clause = no independent clause

E is similar to the second example.
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by OptimusPrep » Tue May 03, 2016 7:48 pm
jain2016 wrote:Antigenic shift refers to the combination of two different strains of influenza; in contrast, antigenic drift refers to the natural mutation of a single strain of influenza.

A) influenza; in contrast, antigenic drift refers to the natural mutation of a single strain of influenza
B) influenza, different than the natural mutation of a single strain, known as antigenic drift
C) influenza, in contrast to the natural mutation of a single strain, known as antigenic drift
D)influenza, different than antigenic drift, which refers to the natural mutation of a single strain of influenza
E) influenza; in contrast to antigenic drift, which refers to the natural mutation of a single strain of influenza

OAA
Hi,

Always remember that a semi colon is used:
1. When two independent clauses are present or two independent sentences
2. To separate lists containing more than one items.

In the option E, "in contrast to antigenic drift, which refers to" makes the second part a dependent clause.
Hence it is incorrect.
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