16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsEasyComma after an introductory 'once' clause

Standard English Conventions practice question

Once the frost has ____ the market gardeners set out their seedlings.

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

  1. A. passed,Correct
  2. B. passed
  3. C. passed;
  4. D. passed, and

Answer: A. passed,

An introductory dependent clause takes a comma.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. passed
Runs the clauses together.
C. passed;
A semicolon can't follow a dependent clause.
D. passed, and
'And' has no clause before it.

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