16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardNo comma after an inverted not-until clause

Standard English Conventions practice question

Not until the last guest had ____ did the host sit down.

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

  1. A. leftCorrect
  2. B. left,
  3. C. left;
  4. D. left:

Answer: A. left

The inverted sentence runs on without punctuation into did the host sit down.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. left,
A comma breaks the inverted clause.
C. left;
A semicolon leaves a fragment.
D. left:
A colon leaves a fragment.

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