Question

Choose the option that best combines the sentences.
This is my father. His name is Edward.
a) This is my father, Edward.
b) Edward is my father.
c) This is my father and his name is Edward.
d) No change

Answer 1

Hint: A sentence is the combination of independent and dependent clauses. In the question, we have two independent clauses.

Complete answer:
In the above question, we have two clauses – one being ‘this is my father’ and the other being ‘his name is Edward’.
Now, why do we combine sentences? – Well, we combine sentences too –
1) To connect ideas/thoughts
2) To expand upon a thought or idea
3) To eliminate repetition
4) To create sentence variety
5) To write more academically
Here (in the above question), when we have to use two noun phrases in apposition, they are placed next to each other in a clause and refer to something. In our case, they are referring to the speaker’s father “Edward”.
The use of comma – the comma is used to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence when they are separated by a conjunction. The comma goes after the first clause and before the coordinating conjunction that separates the clauses.
Therefore, this would be the best option, i.e. using a comma. This implies that the correct solution is option (a), i.e. ‘This is my father, Edward.
The other options are not according to the explanation given above, option.
Is correct This is not the correct way to express or inform someone about one’s father.
This does not follow the above-given explanation, hence is wrong.

Note:
There are three ways of combining a sentence – using conjunction, using punctuations, and using a subordinate clause.