16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardColon introducing a series of clauses

Standard English Conventions practice question

The audit reached three conclusions ____ costs were rising, revenue was flat, and the deficit could not be sustained.

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

  1. A. conclusions: costsCorrect
  2. B. conclusions, costs
  3. C. conclusions costs
  4. D. conclusions; costs

Answer: A. conclusions: costs

'The audit reached three conclusions' is complete, and what follows lists them. A colon after a complete clause introduces the list, even when the items are themselves clauses.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. conclusions, costs
A comma would make 'costs were rising' read as a fourth item in a series rather than the start of the announced list.
C. conclusions costs
Nothing marks where the announcement ends and the list begins.
D. conclusions; costs
A semicolon would treat 'costs were rising, revenue was flat...' as one balanced clause; the sentence is announcing a list, which a colon does.

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