Question

This sentence contains what kind of error? Mary Ellen was not following the directions, therefore she did not write an appropriate paper. Select one or more: a. a comma splice O b. It's correct. c. a fused sentence d. a fragment​

Answer 1

comma splice

Step-by-step explanation:

two possible revisions:

Mary Ellen was not following the directions. Therefore, she did not write an appropriate paper.

Mary Ellen was not following the directions; therefore, she did not write an appropriate paper.

The ONLY time that a comma can be used to connect two independent clauses is when it is paired with a coordinating conjunction. The word "therefore" is not a coordinating conjunction; it is a conjunctive adverb (which requires the punctuation as shown in the two revisions above.)