Himiko, a method used to find an explanation of the shapes of galaxies

Question

Himiko, a method used to find an explanation of the shapes of galaxies,  is based on Lyman-Alpha emission, a phenomenon in which the energy produced by the big-bang combines with the gravitational force of young stars heating up the nearby hydrogen gas , and producing a big red shift.

A. is based on Lyman-Alpha emission, a phenomenon in which the energy produced by the big-bang combines with the gravitational force of young stars heating up the nearby hydrogen gas

B. based on Lyman-Alpha emission, a phenomenon where the energy produced by the big-bang combines with the gravitational force of young stars heats up the nearby hydrogen gas

C. is based on Lyman-Alpha emission, a phenomenon in which the energy produced by the big-bang combines with the gravitational force of young stars, heating up the nearby hydrogen gas

D. based on Lyman-Alpha emission, a phenomenon in which the energy produced by the big-bang combines with the gravitational force of young stars, heating up the nearby hydrogen gas

E. based on Lyman-Alpha emission, a phenomenon in which the energy produced by the big-bang combining with the gravitational force of young stars heating up the nearby hydrogen gas

sakshambhutani05 · Answer

The only difference between A and C is the presence of the extra comma. How does that make C the right choice?

sakshambhutani05 · Answer

How does adding a comma in option C make it the right choice

kanishaksharma · Answer

It is basically correct use of Verb-ing modifier. 
If Verb-ing comes after a comma then it modifies the complete clause before the comma but if verb-ing comes without comma then it can only modify the preceding noun that is young stars. In A option the meaning is changed because the complete phenomenon causes the heating not just young stars.
I hope it helps.

ExpertsGlobal5 · Answer

Hello  sakshambhutani05 ,

We hope this finds you well.

To answer your query, the addition of a comma in Option C forms the "comma + present participle ("verb+ing" - "heating" in this sentence)" construction; this construction modifies the preceding clause to convey the intended meaning - that the energy produced by the big-bang combines with the gravitational force of young stars, and   as a result   heats up the nearby hydrogen gas.

Without the comma, as seen in Option A, the present participle - "heating" - modifies the noun phrase "young stars", incorrectly implying that the energy produced by the big-bang combines with the gravitational force of   those specific   young stars that are   in the process of   heating up the nearby hydrogen gas.

Remember, the introduction of the present participle ("verb+ing"- “heating” in this case) after the comma generally leads to a cause-effect relationship.

To understand the concept of "Comma Plus Present Participle for Cause-Effect Relationship", you may want to watch the following video (~3 minutes):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVLneikI70Q

All the best!
Experts' Global Team

VerbalBot · Answer

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Himiko, a method used to find an explanation of the shapes of galaxies

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Himiko, a method used to find an explanation of the shapes of galaxies

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