16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardSemicolon before a transitional phrase

Standard English Conventions practice question

The manuscript is undated and ____ on the other hand, its paper carries a watermark used only between 1560 and 1575.

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

  1. A. unsigned;Correct
  2. B. unsigned,
  3. C. unsigned
  4. D. unsigned, and

Answer: A. unsigned;

'On the other hand' joining two independent clauses takes a semicolon before it.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. unsigned,
A comma splice.
C. unsigned
A run-on.
D. unsigned, and
'And' before a contrasting phrase is muddled and the comma after 'unsigned' is still a splice.

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