Standard English ConventionsEasy–MediumComma after an introductory clause
Standard English Conventions practice question
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? After the storm finally passed ____ the volunteers began clearing the fallen branches.
- A. passed the
- B. passed, theCorrect
- C. passed; the
- D. passed: the
Answer: B. passed, the
'After the storm finally passed' is an introductory dependent clause, which is set off with a comma. A semicolon (C) and colon (D) require an independent clause before them, but this opener can't stand alone.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. passed the
- Without a comma, the introductory clause runs straight into the main clause; 'After the storm finally passed' needs to be set off before 'the volunteers began.'
- C. passed; the
- A semicolon needs a complete sentence on both sides, but 'After the storm finally passed' begins with 'After' and can't stand alone — it's an introductory clause that takes a comma.
- D. passed: the
- A colon requires an independent clause before it, and 'After the storm finally passed' is dependent; use a comma instead.
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