Standard English ConventionsHardComma before a participial phrase that modifies the whole clause
Standard English Conventions practice question
The lifeboat launched at ____ reaching the yacht within twenty minutes.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
- A. dawn,Correct
- B. dawn
- C. dawn;
- D. dawn:
Answer: A. dawn,
A trailing participial phrase describing the action is set off with a comma.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. dawn
- No comma makes 'dawn reaching' read as a unit.
- C. dawn;
- A semicolon needs a clause after it.
- D. dawn:
- A colon can't introduce a participial phrase.
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