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Standard English ConventionsEasyComma in a compound sentence about a garden

Standard English Conventions practice question

The tomatoes ____ but the beans failed.

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

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

Answer: A. ripened,

A comma precedes 'but' between two clauses.

Why the other answers are wrong

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

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