Read the sentence below and answer the question that follows.

the graduate students filled out the necessary applications, and submitted the required references.

how is the comma used incorrectly in the sentence above?

a. the comma attempts to separate a compound predicate.
b. the comma attempts to set apart an essential element.
c. the comma attempts to separate a compound subject.
d. the comma attempts to join two independent clauses.

In the sentence the comma has been used incorrectly by attempting to separate a compound predicate.

Explanation:

You should never separate a compound predicate with a comma, both of the verb phrases in the sentence ("filled out hte necessary applications" and "submitted the required references") share the same subject and they should have equal access to it. There is no need for commas because the sentence has only one independent clause even thought it has a compound predicate.

is it "means of nourishment"

you didn't provide the passage.

explanation:

seeing as this is your first question on i can see why you may have not known that you need to provide the passage.

without the passage, or even the name of the passage, we can not read the passage, therefore we can not determine when or how the pacing effects the tone.

however, you can either repost this question (providing the passage this time)

or you can comment below what the passage is, and i'll you to the best of my ability!