16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardNo comma between a subject and its verb

Standard English Conventions practice question

The collection of letters that the museum acquired last ____ mostly to the poet's sister.

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

  1. A. year was addressedCorrect
  2. B. year, was addressed
  3. C. year; was addressed
  4. D. year. Was addressed

Answer: A. year was addressed

'The collection … last year' is the subject and 'was addressed' its verb; nothing separates them.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. year, was addressed
A lone comma between subject and verb is an error.
C. year; was addressed
A semicolon splits the subject from its verb.
D. year. Was addressed
A period leaves fragments on both sides.

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