16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardComma before 'but' joining two independent clauses

Standard English Conventions practice question

Passengers may feed the ____ but the staff ask them not to give her milk.

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

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

Answer: A. cat,

'But' joining two independent clauses takes a comma before it.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. cat
Two full clauses joined by 'but' take a comma.
C. cat;
A semicolon plus 'but' doubles the connector.
D. cat, and
'And but' is not a pairing.

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