16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsEasyComma before but joining two clauses

Standard English Conventions practice question

It was ____ we were still not tired.

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

  1. A. late, butCorrect
  2. B. late but
  3. C. late, but,
  4. D. late; but

Answer: A. late, but

"but" joins two complete sentences, so a comma comes before it.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. late but
The comma is missing.
C. late, but,
No comma goes after "but".
D. late; but
A semicolon is not used with "but".

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