Standard English ConventionsMediumNonessential participial phrase
Standard English Conventions practice question
The violinist ____ received a standing ovation.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
- A. violinist, playing entirely from memory, receivedCorrect
- B. violinist playing entirely from memory, received
- C. violinist, playing entirely from memory received
- D. violinist; playing entirely from memory; received
Answer: A. violinist, playing entirely from memory, received
'playing entirely from memory' is an aside about the violinist that could be removed. A nonessential phrase in the middle of a sentence takes a comma on each side.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. violinist playing entirely from memory, received
- The closing comma is there but the opening one is missing.
- C. violinist, playing entirely from memory received
- The opening comma is there but the closing one is missing, so the phrase runs into the verb.
- D. violinist; playing entirely from memory; received
- Semicolons can't bracket an aside; each needs a complete clause on both sides.
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