Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one.
1The archive was digitised in 2019............... has made remote research far easier.
Wrong!
Use ", which": the relative clause adds a comment on the whole previous clause, so it is non-defining and set off with a comma.
2Any proposal ............... relies on outdated traffic data should be returned to the committee.
Wrong!
Use "that" because the relative clause defines which proposal is meant; restrictive clauses are not preceded by a comma.
3Although the preliminary figures looked encouraging............... the board postponed the expansion until the audit was complete.
Wrong!
Use "," after a fronted dependent clause such as an although-clause before the main clause begins; a semicolon or colon cannot follow a dependent clause.
4The contract seemed straightforward............... several liability clauses required specialist review.
Wrong!
Use "; however," between two independent clauses; a comma alone cannot join them before a conjunctive adverb.
5The report identifies three causes for the delay............... staff turnover, supplier insolvency, and repeated software failures.
Wrong!
Use ":" after a complete clause to introduce the explanation or list that follows.
6The finance director............... had warned the committee about the shortfall months earlier.
Wrong!
Use ", according to the minutes," because the reporting phrase interrupts the main clause and should be set off with paired commas.
7The witnesses had already left the building............... the security team could not verify their statements immediately.
Wrong!
Use ", and" because two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction.
8The mediator summarised the objections ............... proposed a compromise acceptable to both teams.
Wrong!
Use "and" without a comma because the second verb phrase shares the same subject rather than forming a new independent clause.
9The schedule can still be revised............... though the window for consultation is closing quickly.
Wrong!
Use "," before a though-clause that follows the main clause and adds a contrasting comment; a semicolon cannot introduce a dependent clause.
10Having reviewed the confidential annex............... the panel requested a closed session.
Wrong!
Use "," after a fronted participial phrase before the subject of the main clause; a semicolon cannot separate a phrase from its main clause.
11The Paris office handles procurement, compliance, and training............... the Berlin office oversees logistics and data security.
Wrong!
Use ";" to separate closely related independent clauses when a comma would create a comma splice, especially with internal commas nearby.
12Dr. Mensah............... chaired the negotiations with unusual patience.
Wrong!
Use ", a former diplomat," because the appositive adds non-essential information about a named person and is set off with commas.
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- The archive was digitised in 2019, which has made remote research far easier.
- Any proposal that relies on outdated traffic data should be returned to the committee.
- Although the preliminary figures looked encouraging, the board postponed the expansion until the audit was complete.
- The contract seemed straightforward; however, several liability clauses required specialist review.
- The report identifies three causes for the delay: staff turnover, supplier insolvency, and repeated software failures.
- The finance director, according to the minutes, had warned the committee about the shortfall months earlier.
- The witnesses had already left the building, and the security team could not verify their statements immediately.
- The mediator summarised the objections and proposed a compromise acceptable to both teams.
- The schedule can still be revised, though the window for consultation is closing quickly.
- Having reviewed the confidential annex, the panel requested a closed session.
- The Paris office handles procurement, compliance, and training; the Berlin office oversees logistics and data security.
- Dr. Mensah, a former diplomat, chaired the negotiations with unusual patience.