16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsEasyComma before 'but' joining clauses

Standard English Conventions practice question

The recipe calls for two eggs ____ have only one left in the carton.

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

  1. A. eggs, but ICorrect
  2. B. eggs but, I
  3. C. eggs, I
  4. D. eggs; but I

Answer: A. eggs, but I

Two complete sentences are joined by the coordinating conjunction 'but', so a comma goes before it.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. eggs but, I
The comma is on the wrong side of the conjunction. It belongs before 'but', not after.
C. eggs, I
Without a conjunction, the comma alone makes a comma splice.
D. eggs; but I
A semicolon already joins the clauses; 'but' after it is redundant.

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