16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardSemicolon before 'for example' introducing a clause

Standard English Conventions practice question

Several of the new words come from ____ for example, 'robot' was coined in a 1920 play.

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

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

Answer: A. fiction;

'For example' here introduces a full clause, so a semicolon precedes it and a comma follows.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. fiction,
A comma before a clause-introducing 'for example' is a splice.
C. fiction
No punctuation is a run-on.
D. fiction: and
A colon plus 'and' is not a construction.

More Standard English Conventions questions

Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.