Standard English ConventionsEasy–MediumPunctuating an introductory dependent clause
Standard English Conventions practice question
Although the recipe called for fresh basil ____ dried oregano worked nearly as well.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
- A. basil, driedCorrect
- B. basil; dried
- C. basil. Dried
- D. basil: dried
Answer: A. basil, dried
'Although the recipe called for fresh basil' cannot stand on its own — the word 'although' makes it dependent. A dependent clause that opens a sentence is followed by a comma and then the main clause.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. basil; dried
- A semicolon joins two INDEPENDENT clauses. 'Although the recipe called for fresh basil' isn't one, so a semicolon after it leaves a fragment on the left.
- C. basil. Dried
- A period turns 'Although the recipe called for fresh basil' into a sentence by itself, but it can't be one — it's an incomplete thought waiting for its main clause.
- D. basil: dried
- A colon must follow a complete clause. 'Although the recipe called for fresh basil' is not complete, so nothing can be introduced from it with a colon.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
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