Question

read the sentences.

1 sameer took a deep breath, straightened his tie, and turned the doorknob. 2 despite his nerves he was ready for his first interview and had thought through each potential question.

which is the best way to rewrite sentence 2?

• despite his nerves he was ready for his first interview although he had thought through each potential question.
• despite his nerves; he was ready for his first interview, and had thought through each potential question.
• despite his nerves he was ready for his first interview, had thought through each potential question.
• despite his nerves, he was ready for his first interview; he had thought through each potential question.

Explanation:

Analyze the original sentence structure

The original sentence is: "[2] Despite his nerves he was ready for his first interview and had thought through each potential question."

• "Despite his nerves" is an introductory prepositional phrase. Introductory phrases should be followed by a comma when they are long or to prevent confusion.
• "he was ready for his first interview" is an independent clause.
• "and had thought through each potential question" is a coordinating conjunction followed by a compound predicate (not a full independent clause, so no comma is needed before "and").

Evaluate the options for punctuation and clarity

• Option 1: "Despite his nerves he was ready for his first interview although he had thought through each potential question."
• This introduces "although," which incorrectly suggests a contrast between being ready and having prepared.
• Option 2: "Despite his nerves; he was ready for his first interview, and had thought through each potential question."
• A semicolon cannot separate an introductory phrase ("Despite his nerves") from the independent clause.
• Option 3: "Despite his nerves he was ready for his first interview, had thought through each potential question."
• This creates a comma splice/run-on structure by removing the coordinating conjunction "and" without replacing it with a proper connector or semicolon.
• Option 4: "Despite his nerves, he was ready for his first interview; he had thought through each potential question."
• This correctly places a comma after the introductory phrase "Despite his nerves."
• It splits the compound predicate into two independent clauses ("he was ready..." and "he had thought...") separated properly by a semicolon. This is grammatically correct and improves readability.

Answer:

• (A) Despite his nerves he was ready for his first interview although he had thought through each potential question.
• (B) Despite his nerves; he was ready for his first interview, and had thought through each potential question.
• (C) Despite his nerves he was ready for his first interview, had thought through each potential question.
• (D) Despite his nerves, he was ready for his first interview; he had thought through each potential question. (Correct answer)