16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardDashes enclosing an interruption that contains a comma

Standard English Conventions practice question

The two youngest competitors — twins, as it ____ finished first and second.

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

  1. A. happened —Correct
  2. B. happened,
  3. C. happened;
  4. D. happened

Answer: A. happened —

The interruption opened with a dash must close with a dash, even though it contains a comma.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. happened,
A comma can't close what a dash opened.
C. happened;
A semicolon can't close an interruption.
D. happened
With no closing mark, the interruption swallows the verb.

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