16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardNo comma after a conjunction

Standard English Conventions practice question

The museum is small, but ____ collection of maps is remarkable.

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

  1. A. itsCorrect
  2. B. , its
  3. C. ; its
  4. D. its,

Answer: A. its

The comma before 'but' is the only one needed. Nothing goes between 'but' and the clause it introduces.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. , its
A comma after 'but' separates the conjunction from its clause.
C. ; its
A semicolon after 'but' leaves the conjunction dangling at the end of the first clause.
D. its,
A comma between 'its' and 'collection' splits a possessive from its noun.

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