16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardComma pair around 'according to'

Standard English Conventions practice question

The bridge ____ will reopen to traffic in June.

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

  1. A. , according to the council,Correct
  2. B. according to the council
  3. C. , according to the council
  4. D. according to the council,

Answer: A. , according to the council,

'according to the council' is an aside inserted between the subject and its verb; it needs a comma on each side.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. according to the council
Without commas, the aside runs into both the subject and the verb.
C. , according to the council
Only the opening comma; the aside must be closed before 'will'.
D. according to the council,
Only the closing comma; the aside must be opened after 'bridge'.

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