16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardNo comma before an essential 'that' clause

Standard English Conventions practice question

The channel ____ separates the bank from the shore fills first.

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

  1. A. thatCorrect
  2. B. , that
  3. C. that,
  4. D. ; that

Answer: A. that

'That separates the bank from the shore' identifies the channel: no commas.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. , that
A comma before an essential clause.
C. that,
A comma after 'that' cuts it from its verb.
D. ; that
A semicolon can't introduce a relative clause.

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