16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsMediumClosing comma of a clause about a report

Standard English Conventions practice question

The report, which took two years to ____ recommends closing the smaller branch.

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

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

Answer: A. write,

The nonessential clause opened with a comma must close with one.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. write
The closing comma of the pair is missing.
C. write;
A semicolon cannot close a clause set off by a comma.
D. write, and
The conjunction leaves the sentence without a main verb.

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