How to correctly phrase exhibits with but also for clarity and inclusion

When you’re reading a sentence about two different topics—like exhibits about the solar system and exhibits about plants—you want the joining word to do the right job. If it’s off, the reader pauses, backtracks, or feels a little puzzled. That moment can derail a clean, confident line of thought. And in the PACT writing tasks, where clarity matters, a single connector can make the difference between smooth flow and a stumbling block.

Let’s unpack a tiny but mighty question that often shows up in these tasks: How should the phrase about exhibits be correctly constructed?

The multiple-choice setup looks like this:

A. But the solar system or plant exhibits

B. But also the solar system and plant exhibits

C. And the solar system and plant exhibits

D. Exhibit, and solar system and plant exhibits

The correct answer is B: But also the solar system and plant exhibits.

Here’s why B works—and why the others fall short.

Why “but also” is the right connector here

• Inclusive add-on, not a choice: The phrase “but also” signals that what follows is in addition to what came before. It blends the two exhibit topics into a single, richer view rather than presenting them as alternatives. In contexts like museum signage, classroom descriptions, or informational blurbs, you want to knit ideas together, not suggest you must pick one over the other.

• Parallel structure matters: The two items after “the”—solar system exhibits and plant exhibits—are clearly parallel. They sit on equal footing, which keeps the sentence balanced and easy to scan. That balance matters in a PACT writing context where readers (or graders) skim for coherence as much as for content.

• Clarity over cleverness: A natural-sounding sentence that uses “but also” helps readers glide from what’s already said to what’s new, without forcing them to reparse the sentence.

Why the other options create quick frictions

• A. “But the solar system or plant exhibits” uses or, which creates an either/or sense. If both topics are relevant, this choice misleads the reader into thinking you’re offering a choice instead of adding two items.

• C. “And the solar system and plant exhibits” drops the transitional device that signals addition. It feels abrupt, almost like a list is being tacked on rather than smoothly connected. In a formal or semi-formal context, that abruptness can jar the reader.

• D. “Exhibit, and solar system and plant exhibits” is grammatically awkward. The comma before “and” here makes the sentence look like a problem rather than a clear connective. It also tosses the reader off rhythm, and rhythm is part of readability.

A quick, practical takeaway

• In sentences that introduce two related topics after a previous clause, use a connector that implies addition. “But also” is a reliable, natural choice because it preserves flow and makes both items feel equally important.

A few quick guidelines you can carry forward

• Decide whether you’re adding or contrasting: If you’re simply adding a related element, lean on “also,” “in addition,” or “too” combined with a controlling phrase. If you’re contrasting two paths or options, use “but” or “yet” in a way that clearly marks the shift. In some cases, “but also” does both—adds a point while acknowledging the prior one.

• Keep items parallel: List the linked elements in a parallel structure (same noun or phrase form). Parallelism helps readers grasp two ideas without getting tangled in a mismatch.

• Watch punctuation and rhythm: A clean sentence often benefits from fewer commas or quirky breaks. Let the rhythm do the work—short, crisp clauses when you can, longer, more explanatory phrases when you need nuance.

• Test with a quick rewrite: If you find yourself hesitating, rewrite the sentence with the two items swapped or with a different connector. If the meaning remains clear and effortless, you’ve found a solid choice.

A tiny digression that still connects back

Think about how signage, labels, or exhibit descriptions in real life use connectors. Museums don’t waste words; they want visitors to understand quickly and move along. The phrase “but also” is the kind of little linguistic bridge that keeps both curiosity and information flowing. It’s not flashy, but it’s reliable—and reliability is a big part of clear writing, especially in contexts where readers skim for the gist.

A little field guide for this kind of phrasing

• If you’re listing two topics that both deserve emphasis, go with a form that signals addition. For example: “The gallery features solar system exhibits and plant exhibits.” If you want to hint at a continuation of thought from earlier content, you can say, “But also the solar system and plant exhibits,” which gently tethers the new information to what came before.

• If one topic slightly dominates the other in importance, you can rearrange to highlight that priority, but keep the connector respectful and accurate. For instance: “In addition to the solar system exhibits, plant exhibits welcome close observation.” Here, you’re guiding attention without distorting meaning.

• If you’re mixing both topics into one umbrella idea, you might craft a sentence like: “The exhibit hall covers the solar system and plant life, offering detailed models and interactive displays.” This moves beyond the micro-issue of a single phrase and shows how these ideas can sit inside a larger description.

A practical mini-checklist you can tote around

• Is the goal additive or contrastive? If additive, consider “also” or “but also.”

• Are the items parallel? Keep the same grammatical form.

• Are you signaling equal importance? Use a connector that doesn’t privilege one item over the other.

• Does the sentence stay readable at a glance? If not, trim or simplify.

Bringing it back to the PACT writing task

In the broader scope of the PACT writing standards, the way you connect ideas matters almost as much as the ideas themselves. You’re not just listing features; you’re guiding a reader through a logical path. The right connectors help you control pace, emphasis, and clarity. When you’re describing multiple exhibits, the odds are high that you’ll want an additive link that preserves flow and avoids implying a false choice.

A simple exercise you can try

Take a short sentence about two topics you care about, and test a few connectors:

• “The museum offers solar system exhibits or plant exhibits.” (This suggests a choice.)

• “The museum offers solar system exhibits and plant exhibits.” (Balanced, but feels a touch abrupt.)

• “The museum offers solar system exhibits, and plant exhibits.” (Better rhythm, but the conjunction still feels like a list.)

• “The museum offers solar system exhibits, but also plant exhibits.” (Smoother and clearly additive.)

If you do a quick compare, you’ll likely land on the last option as the most fluid, especially in contexts where both topics deserve attention.

A final note on language nuance

Emotional cues aren’t always appropriate in technical or informational passages, but a hint of them can improve engagement when used sparingly. In this case, the goal is clarity with a conversational tone. The right choice—“but also”—delivers that blend: it’s approachable, precise, and inclusive. It helps your reader move seamlessly from one idea to the next, without stumbling over the grammar or the flow.

Where to go from here

If you’re building a sense of mastery in your writing, practice with real-world phrases that pair related topics. Experiment with different connectors and observe how readers respond. Tools like the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) or style guides from publishers you admire can offer additional examples and checks for parallelism, punctuation, and flow.

Bottom line

When you need to link two related topics in a sentence without suggesting a choice between them, “but also” is your friend. It signals addition, keeps the rhythm steady, and preserves clarity for the reader. In the specific case of “the solar system and plant exhibits,” the most natural construction is: But also the solar system and plant exhibits. It’s simple, it’s correct, and it keeps the reader moving forward.

If you find yourself writing about two connected ideas, remember this small phrase and the logic behind it. A well-chosen connector doesn’t just join words—it guides your reader through your thoughts with ease. And that kind of clarity is what makes any piece feel confident, credible, and alive.