16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardComma closing the first half of a split quotation

Standard English Conventions practice question

"If we leave ____ said the guide, "we will catch the ferry."

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

  1. A. now,"Correct
  2. B. now."
  3. C. now"
  4. D. now;"

Answer: A. now,"

The first part of an interrupted quotation ends with a comma inside the quotation mark.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. now."
A full stop would end the sentence in the middle of the quotation.
C. now"
No punctuation before the attribution.
D. now;"
A semicolon does not go here.

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