16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardNo punctuation before the second whether

Standard English Conventions practice question

The question is not whether we can afford the repairs but ____ we can afford to delay them.

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

  1. A. whetherCorrect
  2. B. whether,
  3. C. , whether
  4. D. ; whether

Answer: A. whether

Not whether X but whether Y needs no punctuation around the second whether.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. whether,
A comma after whether breaks the clause.
C. , whether
A comma before whether breaks the not-but pairing.
D. ; whether
A semicolon leaves a fragment after it.

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