16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardColon versus dash before an explanation

Standard English Conventions practice question

There was one reason the shop ____ nobody could find it.

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

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

Answer: A. failed:

The clause after the colon gives the reason announced before it.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. failed,
A comma splice.
C. failed
A run-on.
D. failed; and
'And' after a semicolon is muddled.

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