Standard English ConventionsMediumColon before an explanation
Standard English Conventions practice question
There was one flaw in the otherwise careful plan ____ nobody had checked the tide tables.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
- A. plan: nobodyCorrect
- B. plan, nobody
- C. plan nobody
- D. plan; and nobody
Answer: A. plan: nobody
The first clause announces a flaw; the second says what it was. A colon after a complete clause introduces exactly that kind of explanation.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. plan, nobody
- Both halves are complete sentences, so a comma alone is a splice.
- C. plan nobody
- Nothing at the boundary leaves two sentences run together.
- D. plan; and nobody
- A semicolon would work alone, but adding 'and' after it is redundant.
More Standard English Conventions questions
- Medium
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Maya trained for … - Medium
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The three ____ un… - Medium
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The first experim… - Medium
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Marie Curie, ____… - Medium
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? On weekends, Priy… - Medium
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The list of appro…
Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.