Short Answer
The error identified is a comma splice, which improperly connects two independent clauses. To correct it, replace the comma with a period or use a semi-colon, resulting in grammatically correct sentences.
Identify the Error
The first step is to recognize that the sentence contains a comma splice. A comma splice occurs when a comma is incorrectly used to connect two independent clauses that could stand alone as separate sentences. Understanding this will help you see why the sentence is incorrect.
Choose Your Fix
Once you identify the comma splice, you need to decide how to correct it. There are two main options for fixing this issue:
- Replace the comma with a period to create two separate sentences.
- Use a semi-colon to connect the clauses more closely.
Apply the Correction
Now that you’ve chosen your fix, apply it to the sentence. Here are the correct forms:
- My mother and father are both scientists. It must have been my destiny to become interested in biology.
- My mother and father are both scientists; it must have been my destiny to become interested in biology.
This will ensure that your sentence is grammatically correct and clear.