16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardEssential 'that' clause takes no commas

Standard English Conventions practice question

The report ____ was eventually leaked to the press.

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

  1. A. that the committee had suppressedCorrect
  2. B. , that the committee had suppressed,
  3. C. , which the committee had suppressed
  4. D. which the committee had suppressed,

Answer: A. that the committee had suppressed

'that the committee had suppressed' identifies WHICH report — essential, so no commas and 'that'.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. , that the committee had suppressed,
'that' clauses are never set off by commas.
C. , which the committee had suppressed
A lone comma opens a 'which' clause that is never closed.
D. which the committee had suppressed,
A lone comma after the clause separates the subject from its verb.

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