16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsEasy–MediumComma after a participial opener

Standard English Conventions practice question

Hoping to catch the early ____ Priya set her alarm for five.

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

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

Answer: A. ferry,

An opening participial phrase is followed by a comma.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. ferry;
A semicolon needs a clause before it.
C. ferry
No boundary after the opener.
D. ferry, and
'And' has nothing to join.

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