One of the world's most venomous snakes, the Russell's viper found throughout the Indian subcontinent inhabits many different terrains such as plains, coastal lowlands, forests, grasslands, and even agricultural fields.

Question

One of the world's most venomous snakes, the Russell's viper found throughout the Indian subcontinent inhabits many different terrains such as plains, coastal lowlands, forests, grasslands, and even agricultural fields.

Which is the correct way to write the underlined part of the sentence to indicate a break?
A.
the Russell's—viper found throughout the Indian subcontinent, inhabits
B.
the Russell's, viper found throughout the Indian subcontinent—inhabits
C.
the Russell's viper—found throughout the Indian subcontinent—inhabits
D.
the Russell's viper found, throughout the Indian subcontinent, inhabits

Answer 1

C. the Russell's viper—found throughout the Indian subcontinent—inhabits

Answer 2

C.

the Russell's viper—found throughout the Indian subcontinent—inhabits

Answer 3

The correct way to write the underlined part of the sentence to indicate a break is option C: "the Russell's viper—found throughout the Indian subcontinent—inhabits."

Explanation:

Option A ("the Russell's—viper found throughout the Indian subcontinent, inhabits") uses a dash to indicate a break, but it is not necessary in this case. The dash implies more abrupt or unexpected information, which doesn't fit here.

Option B ("the Russell's, viper found throughout the Indian subcontinent—inhabits") uses a comma to separate the subject and verb, but it is incorrect. The comma implies that there is a missing subject, which is not the case.

Option D ("the Russell's viper found, throughout the Indian subcontinent, inhabits") uses commas around the phrase "throughout the Indian subcontinent" to indicate a break, but this is not the correct placement for commas. The phrase "found throughout the Indian subcontinent" is essential to the sentence and shouldn't be separated by commas.

Option C ("the Russell's viper—found throughout the Indian subcontinent—inhabits") correctly uses two dashes to indicate a break in the sentence. The dashes set off the nonessential phrase "found throughout the Indian subcontinent" and make it clear that it is providing extra information about the Russell's viper.