16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardColon before an explanation of a name

Standard English Conventions practice question

The inn's name puzzles ____ there has never been a swan on the river within twenty miles of it.

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

  1. A. visitors:Correct
  2. B. visitors,
  3. C. visitors
  4. D. visitors; as

Answer: A. visitors:

A complete clause followed by the explanation takes a colon.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. visitors,
A comma splice.
C. visitors
A run-on.
D. visitors; as
'As' after a semicolon leaves a fragment.

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