16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsEasyNo punctuation before a 'that' clause

Standard English Conventions practice question

The study found ____ regular exercise improved the participants' concentration.

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

  1. A. found thatCorrect
  2. B. found, that
  3. C. found; that
  4. D. found: that

Answer: A. found that

'that regular exercise improved...' is the object of 'found' — it says WHAT the study found. Nothing separates a verb from its object.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. found, that
A comma between a verb and its 'that' clause is an error; the clause completes the verb.
C. found; that
A semicolon needs a complete clause on each side; 'that regular exercise improved...' is a dependent clause.
D. found: that
A colon must follow a complete clause, and 'The study found' isn't complete without its object.

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