16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsMediumSemicolon before a conjunctive adverb

Standard English Conventions practice question

The road was ____ therefore, the bus took the long way round.

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

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

Answer: A. closed;

"therefore" begins a second complete sentence; a semicolon separates the two.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. closed,
A comma splice.
C. closed
Run together.
D. closed, and
"and therefore, the bus" leaves a stray comma; the semicolon is cleaner.

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