16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsEasy–MediumNo comma between a verb and its object clause

Standard English Conventions practice question

The engineers concluded ____ the bridge could safely carry twice its current load.

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

  1. A. thatCorrect
  2. B. that,
  3. C. , that
  4. D. ; that

Answer: A. that

'That the bridge could…' is the object of 'concluded'; no punctuation separates them.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. that,
A comma after 'that' cuts it from its clause.
C. , that
A comma before 'that' separates a verb from its object.
D. ; that
A semicolon can't introduce an object clause.

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