16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardNonrestrictive whose clause inside a subject

Standard English Conventions practice question

The violinist, ____ won the competition with a piece written for her by her brother.

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

  1. A. whose instrument was made in 1715,Correct
  2. B. whose instrument was made in 1715
  3. C. her instrument was made in 1715,
  4. D. whose instrument was made in 1715;

Answer: A. whose instrument was made in 1715,

The "whose" clause is extra information and is closed by a comma before the verb "won".

Why the other answers are wrong

B. whose instrument was made in 1715
Opened by a comma but never closed.
C. her instrument was made in 1715,
"her instrument was made in 1715" is a full clause, making a comma splice.
D. whose instrument was made in 1715;
A semicolon leaves fragments on both sides.

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