16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardColon before a quoted request

Standard English Conventions practice question

The letter contained a single ____ come home.

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

  1. A. request:Correct
  2. B. request;
  3. C. request,
  4. D. request

Answer: A. request:

A colon introduces the words of the request after a complete clause.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. request;
"come home" is not an independent clause for a semicolon.
C. request,
A comma does not introduce the request's wording here.
D. request
No separation between the clause and the request.

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