Standard English ConventionsMediumSemicolon and comma with 'otherwise'
Standard English Conventions practice question
Water the seedlings every day ____ they will wilt within the week.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
- A. ; otherwise,Correct
- B. , otherwise,
- C. otherwise,
- D. ; otherwise
Answer: A. ; otherwise,
Two complete clauses, the second beginning with the transition 'otherwise': a semicolon separates them and a comma follows the transition.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. , otherwise,
- A comma alone between two complete clauses is a splice.
- C. otherwise,
- With nothing before 'otherwise', the clauses run together.
- D. ; otherwise
- The semicolon is right, but the transition needs its comma.
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