16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsEasyComma after an introductory participial phrase

Standard English Conventions practice question

Hoping to beat the ____ the harvesters worked through the night by the lights of their tractors.

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

  1. A. rain,Correct
  2. B. rain
  3. C. rain;
  4. D. rain, and

Answer: A. rain,

An introductory participial phrase is followed by a comma.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. rain
No comma runs the opener into the main clause.
C. rain;
A semicolon can't follow a phrase.
D. rain, and
'And' leaves the sentence without a main clause before it.

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