16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardSemicolon list with a who clause inside an item

Standard English Conventions practice question

The panel included a ____ a nurse, who chaired it; and two patients.

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

  1. A. surgeon, who spoke first;Correct
  2. B. surgeon, who spoke first,
  3. C. surgeon who spoke first;
  4. D. surgeon, who spoke first

Answer: A. surgeon, who spoke first;

Items are separated by semicolons because they contain commas; the clause inside the item takes a comma.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. surgeon, who spoke first,
A comma would run the surgeon's item into the nurse's.
C. surgeon who spoke first;
The nonessential clause needs a comma before "who".
D. surgeon, who spoke first
No separator before the next item.

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