16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardConjunctive adverb joining independent clauses

Standard English Conventions practice question

The trial's results were ____ the sample, at only twelve patients, was too small to justify any change in treatment.

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

  1. A. promising; however,Correct
  2. B. promising, however,
  3. C. promising, however
  4. D. promising however,

Answer: A. promising; however,

"However" is not a conjunction, so the clauses need a semicolon before it and a comma after.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. promising, however,
A comma splice with "however" dropped in the middle.
C. promising, however
Still a comma splice.
D. promising however,
No boundary at all between the clauses.

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