16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardColon before a clause that explains a decision

Standard English Conventions practice question

The council chose the cheaper ____ the dearer one would have needed a loan the town could not afford.

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

  1. A. design:Correct
  2. B. design,
  3. C. design
  4. D. design; because

Answer: A. design:

A complete clause followed by its explanation takes a colon.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. design,
A comma splice.
C. design
A run-on.
D. design; because
'Because' after a semicolon leaves a fragment.

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