16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardNo punctuation between a subject and its verb after a modifier

Standard English Conventions practice question

The letters written by the lighthouse keeper to his ____ are kept in the county archive.

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

  1. A. daughterCorrect
  2. B. daughter,
  3. C. daughter;
  4. D. daughter—

Answer: A. daughter

The phrase 'written by the lighthouse keeper to his daughter' identifies the letters and is part of the subject; nothing separates it from the verb.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. daughter,
A comma splits subject and verb.
C. daughter;
A semicolon splits subject and verb.
D. daughter—
A dash splits subject and verb.

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