16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsMediumSemicolon and comma with 'as a result'

Standard English Conventions practice question

Heavy rain flooded the pitch on Saturday morning ____ the match was moved to Sunday.

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

  1. A. ; as a result,Correct
  2. B. , as a result,
  3. C. as a result,
  4. D. ; as a result

Answer: A. ; as a result,

Two complete clauses joined by a transition: a semicolon separates them and a comma follows 'as a result'.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. , as a result,
A comma alone between two complete clauses is a splice.
C. as a result,
With no punctuation before the transition, the clauses run together.
D. ; as a result
The semicolon is right, but the transition needs its comma.

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