16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardSemicolon list with an appositive inside an item

Standard English Conventions practice question

The committee comprised the mayor; Dr Ann ____ the school's head; and two residents.

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

  1. A. Kelly, the town doctor;Correct
  2. B. Kelly, the town doctor,
  3. C. Kelly the town doctor;
  4. D. Kelly, the town doctor

Answer: A. Kelly, the town doctor;

Items are separated by semicolons; the appositive inside the item takes a comma.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. Kelly, the town doctor,
A comma would make the head a second appositive for Dr Kelly.
C. Kelly the town doctor;
The appositive needs a comma before it.
D. Kelly, the town doctor
No separator before the next item.

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