16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsEasy–MediumNo comma before a closing 'because' clause

Standard English Conventions practice question

The final was postponed ____ the pitch was waterlogged after two days of rain.

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

  1. A. becauseCorrect
  2. B. , because
  3. C. ; because
  4. D. . Because

Answer: A. because

'because the pitch was waterlogged' gives the essential reason for the postponement. A 'because' clause that ends a sentence is attached with no comma.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. , because
A comma before 'because' cuts the reason off from what it explains.
C. ; because
A semicolon needs a complete clause on each side; 'because the pitch was waterlogged...' is dependent.
D. . Because
A period leaves the 'because' clause as a fragment.

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