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Standard English ConventionsMediumComma before a coordinating conjunction

Standard English Conventions practice question

The train was ____ but the connecting bus waited for its passengers.

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

  1. A. late,Correct
  2. B. late;
  3. C. late
  4. D. late, but,

Answer: A. late,

Independent clauses joined by 'but' take a comma before the conjunction.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. late;
A semicolon is not used before 'but' here.
C. late
No comma before the conjunction joining two clauses.
D. late, but,
A stray comma after 'but'.

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