16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardComma before a which clause referring to a whole clause

Standard English Conventions practice question

The train was ____ which meant we missed the connection.

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

  1. A. late,Correct
  2. B. late
  3. C. late;
  4. D. late, and

Answer: A. late,

"which meant" comments on the whole preceding clause and is set off by a comma.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. late
Without the comma, "late which" is ungrammatical.
C. late;
"which meant we missed the connection" is not a complete sentence.
D. late, and
"and which" has no earlier "which" to pair with.

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