16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardSemicolon before a transitional phrase

Standard English Conventions practice question

The gallery's roof leaked for ____ as a consequence, three paintings had to be restored.

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

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

Answer: A. years;

"as a consequence, three paintings had to be restored" is a complete sentence, so a semicolon separates it from the first.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. years,
A comma splice.
C. years
Run together.
D. years, and
"and as a consequence, three" leaves a stray comma after the conjunction phrase; the semicolon is cleaner.

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