16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardComma pair around a nonessential 'who' clause after a name

Standard English Conventions practice question

Dr Adeyemi ____ will give the opening address.

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

  1. A. , who chairs the ethics committee,Correct
  2. B. who chairs the ethics committee
  3. C. , who chairs the ethics committee
  4. D. who chairs the ethics committee,

Answer: A. , who chairs the ethics committee,

Dr Adeyemi is already identified by name, so the clause adds information. A nonessential clause takes a comma on each side.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. who chairs the ethics committee
Without commas the clause reads as essential, as if picking out one Dr Adeyemi among several.
C. , who chairs the ethics committee
Only the opening comma; the clause must be closed before 'will'.
D. who chairs the ethics committee,
Only the closing comma; the clause must be opened after the name.

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