16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsMediumComma before a closing appositive

Standard English Conventions practice question

The prize for best short film went to Priya Nair ____ second-year student from Leeds.

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

  1. A. Nair, aCorrect
  2. B. Nair a
  3. C. Nair; a
  4. D. Nair. A

Answer: A. Nair, a

'a second-year student from Leeds' renames Priya Nair — an appositive adding information. At the end of a sentence it is set off with a comma.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. Nair a
Without a comma, 'Priya Nair a second-year student' runs the name into its description.
C. Nair; a
A semicolon needs a complete clause on each side; the appositive isn't one.
D. Nair. A
'A second-year student from Leeds' is a fragment.

More Standard English Conventions questions

Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.