16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsEasy–MediumComma before 'and' joining two clauses with different subjects

Standard English Conventions practice question

The rain stopped at noon ____ the crowd drifted back into the square.

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

  1. A. , andCorrect
  2. B. and
  3. C. , and,
  4. D. ; and

Answer: A. , and

'The rain stopped at noon' and 'the crowd drifted back' are complete clauses with different subjects, joined by 'and': a comma goes before the conjunction.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. and
Two complete clauses joined by 'and' take a comma before the 'and'.
C. , and,
No comma follows the conjunction.
D. ; and
A semicolon already joins the clauses; 'and' after it is redundant.

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