16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardColon introducing a quotation

Standard English Conventions practice question

The sign at the trailhead was blunt ____ 'No water beyond this point.'

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

  1. A. blunt: 'NoCorrect
  2. B. blunt, 'No
  3. C. blunt 'No
  4. D. blunt; 'No

Answer: A. blunt: 'No

'The sign at the trailhead was blunt' is a complete clause, and the quotation shows what the bluntness consisted of. A colon after a complete clause introduces a quotation that illustrates it.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. blunt, 'No
A comma introduces a quotation only after a speech verb like 'said'. 'Was blunt' isn't one, so the comma just splices.
C. blunt 'No
With nothing at the boundary, the quotation crashes into the clause.
D. blunt; 'No
A semicolon needs a complete clause on each side; the quotation is a fragment.

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