16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardColon before a quoted verdict, not a comma

Standard English Conventions practice question

The report's final line was ____ "Not fit for purpose."

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

  1. A. blunt:Correct
  2. B. blunt,
  3. C. blunt;
  4. D. blunt

Answer: A. blunt:

A colon introduces the quoted line after a complete clause; there is no speech verb to take a comma.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. blunt,
A comma introduces a quotation only after a verb such as "said".
C. blunt;
A quotation is not an independent clause for a semicolon.
D. blunt
No separation.

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