16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardNo comma inside a whoever-clause subject

Standard English Conventions practice question

The rule is simple: whoever arrives ____ chooses the music.

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

  1. A. firstCorrect
  2. B. first,
  3. C. first;
  4. D. first:

Answer: A. first

Whoever arrives first is the subject of chooses, and nothing separates a subject from its verb.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. first,
A comma between subject and verb.
C. first;
A semicolon leaves a fragment before it.
D. first:
A second colon leaves a fragment.

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