16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsEasy–MediumNo comma between two items

Standard English Conventions practice question

The survival kit contains a compass ____ a folded map.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. compass andCorrect
  2. B. compass, and
  3. C. compass; and
  4. D. compass and,

Answer: A. compass and

Only two items are listed. Two items joined by 'and' take no comma.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. compass, and
A comma before 'and' is used for three or more items, or for joining two complete sentences. This is neither.
C. compass; and
A semicolon between two simple list items is wrong, and 'and' after it is redundant.
D. compass and,
A comma after 'and' separates the conjunction from the item it introduces.

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