Although many contemporary architects design buildings with sleek, minimalist ______ some prefer ornate details and classical proportions that echo Re...

Let's begin by understanding the meaning of this sentence. We'll use our understanding of pause points and segment the sentence as shown - understanding and assimilating the meaning of each segment bit by bit!

Sentence Structure

• Although many contemporary architects design buildings
• with sleek, minimalist lines [?]
• some prefer ornate details and classical proportions
• that echo Renaissance-era structures.

Understanding the Meaning

The sentence starts by telling us about one group of contemporary architects:

• "Although many contemporary architects design buildings with sleek, minimalist lines..."
  • These architects favor a modern, simple aesthetic - sleek and minimalist

This is where we have the blank. Let's look at the choices:

• We're deciding whether to add just a comma, or "but," or both, or neither

To see what works here, let's read the rest of the sentence and understand what it's saying!

The sentence continues:

• "some prefer ornate details and classical proportions that echo Renaissance-era structures"
  • This tells us about a different group of architects
  • These ones like decorative, elaborate styles inspired by old Renaissance buildings
  • This is the opposite approach from the first group

So the complete picture is:

• The sentence is setting up a contrast between two types of architects:
  • One group (many) → sleek and minimalist
  • Another group (some) → ornate and classical

What do we notice about the structure here?

• The first part starts with "Although" - this makes it a dependent clause
  • It cannot stand alone as a complete sentence
  • It's setting up a contrast that needs to be completed

• The second part "some prefer ornate details..." is a complete thought
  • It has a subject ("some") and verb ("prefer")
  • It can stand as an independent sentence

• When a dependent clause (starting with "although," "because," "while," etc.) comes before an independent clause, we need a comma to separate them

• Should we also use "but"?
  • No - "but" would be redundant
  • "Although" already establishes the contrast between the two groups
  • Using both "although" and "but" is like saying the same thing twice

So we need just a comma after "lines" - the correct answer is B (lines,)

GRAMMAR CONCEPT APPLIED

Using Commas After Introductory Dependent Clauses

When a dependent clause (a group of words that starts with a subordinating conjunction like "although," "because," "while," "if," "when," etc.) comes at the beginning of a sentence, you must place a comma after it before the independent clause begins.

Pattern:

• Subordinating conjunction + dependent clause, independent clause

Examples:

1. "Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk."
   • Dependent clause: "Although it was raining"
   • Independent clause: "we decided to go for a walk"
   • Comma needed between them
2. "Because the store was closed, they went home."
   • Dependent clause: "Because the store was closed"
   • Independent clause: "they went home"
   • Comma needed between them
3. "While some students prefer morning classes, others like afternoon schedules."
   • Dependent clause: "While some students prefer morning classes"
   • Independent clause: "others like afternoon schedules"
   • Comma needed between them

In this question:

• Dependent clause: "Although many contemporary architects design buildings with sleek, minimalist lines"
• Independent clause: "some prefer ornate details and classical proportions that echo Renaissance-era structures"
• Therefore: comma required after "lines"

Important note: Don't use redundant contrast words. If you start with "although" (which shows contrast), you don't need to also use "but" (which also shows contrast). Pick one or the other, not both.