Question

should there be a comma before the highlighted word?
before okoye and i enter the canoe race, we need to buy waterproof shoes.
keep the comma remove the comma

Explanation:

The sentence structure here: "Before Okoye and I enter the canoe race" is a dependent clause, and "we need to buy waterproof shoes" is the independent clause. When a dependent clause comes before an independent clause, a comma is used to separate them. However, in this case, the subject of the independent clause ("we") is the same as the subject of the dependent clause ("Okoye and I"). Wait, no—actually, the dependent clause is "Before Okoye and I enter the canoe race", and the independent clause is "we need to buy waterproof shoes". Wait, no, let's re - examine. The phrase "Before Okoye and I enter the canoe race" is a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial clause, and the main clause is "we need to buy waterproof shoes". But the subject of the main clause ("we") refers to "Okoye and I". Wait, no, the correct rule: when the dependent clause (adverbial clause) is at the beginning, we use a comma. But in this case, the comma is after "race" and before "we". Wait, no, the sentence is "Before Okoye and I enter the canoe race, we need to buy waterproof shoes". The comma here is separating the dependent clause (before the main clause) from the main clause. But wait, is the subject of the main clause the same as the subject of the dependent clause? "Okoye and I" are the ones entering the race, and "we" (which is Okoye and I) are the ones buying the shoes. But the rule for commas with adverbial clauses: when the adverbial clause is at the beginning, we use a comma. But in this case, the adverbial clause is "Before Okoye and I enter the canoe race", and the main clause is "we need to buy waterproof shoes". Wait, but actually, the comma is correct here? Wait, no, maybe I made a mistake. Wait, no—let's think about the structure. The dependent clause (adverbial) is before the independent clause, so a comma is used. But wait, the options are "Keep the Comma" or "Remove the Comma". Wait, no, maybe the error is that the subject of the main clause is the same as the subject of the dependent clause, so we don't need a comma? Wait, no, the rule is: when an adverbial clause (like a before - clause) comes before the main clause, we use a comma. For example, "Before I go to school, I eat breakfast." Here, we use a comma. So in the given sentence, "Before Okoye and I enter the canoe race, we need to buy waterproof shoes"—the comma is correct. Wait, but the options are "Keep the Comma" or "Remove the Comma". Wait, maybe I was wrong. Wait, no, let's check again. The dependent clause is "Before Okoye and I enter the canoe race", and the main clause is "we need to buy waterproof shoes". The comma is separating the two clauses, which is correct. So we should keep the comma. Wait, but maybe the problem is that "we" is a repetition of the subject? No, "Okoye and I" is the subject of the dependent clause, and "we" is the subject of the main clause, but "we" refers to "Okoye and I". But the comma rule for adverbial clauses at the beginning still holds. So the correct option is to keep the comma.

Answer:

Keep the Comma