Standard English ConventionsMediumTwo commands need more than a comma
Standard English Conventions practice question
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees ____ mix the flour and butter in a large bowl.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
- A. ; thenCorrect
- B. , then
- C. then
- D. , then,
Answer: A. ; then
'Preheat the oven...' and 'then mix...' are two complete commands. 'then' is not a conjunction, so a comma can't join them; a semicolon can.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. , then
- A comma plus 'then' is a comma splice — 'then' isn't a joining word like 'and'.
- C. then
- With nothing between them, the two commands run together.
- D. , then,
- Still a splice, and the extra comma after 'then' adds a second error.
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