16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsMediumColon before what the hikers carried

Standard English Conventions practice question

The hikers carried everything they ____ tents, food, and a stove.

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

  1. A. needed:Correct
  2. B. needed;
  3. C. needed
  4. D. needed, they carried

Answer: A. needed:

A colon introduces the list that spells out everything.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. needed;
A semicolon needs a full sentence after it.
C. needed
Nothing separates the list from the clause.
D. needed, they carried
A comma splice.

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