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One of the most common types of mistakes that inexperienced physicians make is misreading symptoms, another that occurs about as frequently is recommending inappropriate treatment.

  • (A) symptoms, another that occurs
  • (B) symptoms; another one that occurs   CORRECT ANSWER
  • (C) symptoms, the other, and it occurs
  • (D) symptoms; another one which is occurring
  • (E) symptoms and also occurring
Explanation:

This sentence illustrates a comma splice, the incorrect use of a comma to connect two complete sentences. Choice B correctly uses a semicolon to coordinate two independent clauses and form a compound sentence (while at the same time keeping verb tenses parallel). The correct sentence reads: One of the most common types of mistakes that inexperienced physicians make is misreading symptoms; another one that occurs about as frequently is recommending inappropriate treatment.

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