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

The bridge was closed for repairs ____ commuters had to find alternate routes for weeks.

Question

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

The bridge was closed for repairs ____ commuters had to find alternate routes for weeks.

Accepted Answer

C. repairs, so commuters. Two independent clauses can be joined by a comma plus a coordinating conjunction, so 'repairs, so commuters' is correct. A comma alone (A) creates a comma splice, no punctuation (B) creates a run-on, and a semicolon paired with 'and' (D) is redundant since a semicolon already does the joining work of the conjunction.

Answer

A. repairs, commuters — A comma alone can't join two independent clauses — 'The bridge was closed for repairs' and 'commuters had to find alternate routes' are both complete sentences, so this creates a comma splice.

Answer

B. repairs commuters — With no punctuation at all between two complete sentences, you get a run-on; these clauses need a comma plus a conjunction to be joined.

Answer

D. repairs; and commuters — A semicolon already does the joining work by itself, so adding a conjunction after it is redundant — pick either a semicolon alone or a comma plus 'so'.

Standard English Conventions practice question

Answer: C. repairs, so commuters

Why the other answers are wrong

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