Question 127·Easy·Boundaries
The library had planned to expand its children's section last ____ funding shortfalls forced the board to delay the project indefinitely.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For sentence-boundary questions, identify whether both sides of the blank are independent clauses. Then determine the logical relationship (contrast, addition, cause–effect) and choose the appropriate coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) or a semicolon. Remember: use comma + conjunction between two independent clauses, a semicolon by itself between them, and do not combine a semicolon with a coordinating conjunction.
Hints
Look for the clause structure
Read the words before and after the blank and check whether each part could stand alone as a complete sentence.
Think about the relationship between the ideas
Ask yourself: Is the second part explaining a result, or is it showing a contrast with what was planned?
Recall how to join two complete sentences
When two complete sentences are joined with words like "and," "but," or "so," what punctuation should come right before that joining word?
Check semicolon usage
Remember how semicolons work: do they usually appear together with a coordinating conjunction like "but" or by themselves between two complete sentences?
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the two parts of the sentence
Locate where the two ideas meet. The first clause ends after "last summer" and the second begins with "funding shortfalls forced the board to delay the project indefinitely." Each part has its own subject and verb, so both are independent clauses.
Decide how the ideas are related
They planned to expand, but funding shortfalls forced a delay. This relationship shows a contrast between what was planned and what actually happened, not a straightforward cause–effect result.
Recall the punctuation rule for two independent clauses
To join two independent clauses, use either (1) a comma + a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) or (2) a semicolon by itself (no coordinating conjunction). Here, the appropriate coordinating conjunction for contrast is "but," which requires a comma before it.
Check each answer choice against the rules and meaning
- "summer but": Uses the correct conjunction but omits the necessary comma before a coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses.
- "summer; but": A semicolon should not be followed by a coordinating conjunction like "but" in this context.
- "summer, but": Correctly uses comma + conjunction to join two independent clauses and expresses contrast.
- "summer, so": Punctuation is fine, but "so" indicates cause–effect rather than contrast.
Therefore, the correct answer is "summer, but."