16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsMediumCommas around a nonessential relative clause

Standard English Conventions practice question

The ____ which had not been rung since the war, was found to have a crack running the length of its lip.

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

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

Answer: A. bell,

'Which had not been rung since the war' is nonessential and is closed by a comma, so it opens with one.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. bell
The clause is closed but not opened.
C. bell;
A semicolon can't open a 'which' clause.
D. bell—
A dash would need a matching dash.

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