16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsMediumNo punctuation between a verb and its object

Standard English Conventions practice question

After two hours of discussion, the committee ____ the revised budget without a vote.

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

  1. A. approvedCorrect
  2. B. approved,
  3. C. approved:
  4. D. approved;

Answer: A. approved

'the revised budget' is the object of 'approved'. Nothing separates a verb from its object.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. approved,
A comma between a verb and its object is an error.
C. approved:
A colon must follow a complete clause, and 'the committee approved' is incomplete without its object.
D. approved;
A semicolon needs a complete clause on each side.

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