Identifying and Fixing Run-On, Comma Splices
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Based on this lesson, identify whether each sentence is “correct” or a run-on sentence: “fused” or “comma splice.”
Note. If you have difficulties with this exercise, complete the lessons on fused sentences and comma splices first. (Links open in a new tab.)
Incorrect!
Sorry. That is a run-on sentence. Take a closer look and try again.
That’s right!
“They were restless” is a complete sentence. You cannot simply add it to the end of the first sentence using a comma.
Possible correction 1: Because the storm was severe, the guests could not leave the hotel for two days. They were restless.
Possible correction 2: Because the storm was severe, the guests could not leave the hotel for two days, so they were restless.
Incorrect!
Take a good look and try again.
Not quite!
How many complete sentences are there? Take a closer look and try again.
Incorrect!
Not exactly. Try again.
Correct!
“It even requires two textbooks and an online workbook” is a complete sentence. You must either combine it with the first sentence or use it as a new sentence.
Possible correction 1:
According to the former students, Professor Ecks’s course is very complex. It even requires two textbooks and an online workbook.
Possible correction 2:
According to the former students, Professor Ecks’s course is so complex that it even requires two textbooks and an online workbook.
Good job!
There are two ideas in this sentence, but they are properly combined using the coordinating conjunction “but.”
Not quite!
Take a closer look and try again.
Incorrect!
Examine the sentence and try again.
Incorrect!
The sentence may make sense, but that does not mean it is written correctly. Take a closer look and try again.
Incorrect!
The sentence does not even have a comma, so a comma splice cannot be an issue.
Correct!
That is a typical fused sentence. You have two complete separate ideas and nothing combining them.
Possible correction 1:
It is not always easy to understand English grammar. That is why English-language learners often need to take grammar courses when they go to college.
Possible correction 2:
It is not always easy to understand English grammar, which is why English-language learners often need to take grammar courses when they go to college.
Not really!
Take a closer look. Are there separate ideas in this sentence? Should they be combined somehow?
Correct!
“They had never had any serious crimes in their community” is a complete sentence. You need a period before it so you have a standalone sentence.
Incorrect!
You may be on to something here, but take another look.
Excellent!
Although you have two complete sentences here, they are combined using a coordinating conjunction. You do need a comma before “yet.”
That’s not it!
There is a comma in the sentence indeed, but does that mean it is a comma splice?
Incorrect!
Examine the sentence again carefully.
Not exactly!
Break the sentence down into separate, complete ideas. Then decide how you can put them together.
Correct!
“Breaking the assignment down into shorter steps helps you stay focused” is a complete sentence. You need a period at the end of the first part. You can also find a way to combine the two sentences.
Possible correction 1: You will be successful completing the task if you follow each step in the instructions. Breaking the assignment down into shorter steps helps you stay focused.
Possible correction 2: You will be successful completing the task if you follow each step in the instructions because breaking the assignment down into shorter steps will help you stay focused.
You’re almost there!...
There is a comma between the sentences, so it cannot be a fused sentence. Maybe it is a comma splice, or maybe there is nothing wrong with the sentence... Try again.
Incorrect!
There are two complete sentences there without any punctuation in between.
Incorrect!
There are no commas in the sentence, so it cannot be a comma splice.
That’s right!
There are two complete sentences there. You need to use a period to keep them separate or combine them somehow.
Possible correction 1: Use a period to keep the sentences separate.
Texas weather is often described as extreme. It can be cool one day and dangerously hot the next.
Possible correction 2: Combine the closely-related ideas using a semi-colon.
Texas weather is often described as extreme; it can be cool one day and dangerously hot the next.
Incorrect!
Remember? If you have complete sentences, you cannot just put them together back to back.
Not exactly!
Look at the separate sentences. Try again.
That’s right!
This sentence actually has three independent sentences. They must be separated from each other using commas.
Prossible correction: Add commas between the sentences.
When you finish writing your draft, revise your work for clarity, edit it for grammar issues, and make sure your document is formatted correctly.
Incorrect!
Take a good look. How many independent sentences are there?
You got it!
There are two independent sentences here. You should not use commas to separate two independent sentences. Either use a period or combine them (for example, using a coordinating conjunction).
Possible correction: Professor Ecks is not in his office today. I suggest you email him and make an appointment.
Incorrect!
This sentence has a comma between the two sentences, so it cannot be “fused.”
Incorrect!
Examine the sentences closely. Are they independent sentences?
You got it!
When you have two independent sentences, they should stand alone. You can also combine them somehow, but you cannot simply use a comma to combine them.
Incorrect!
There is a comma between the two parts of the sentence, so they are not really fused.
Correct!
The two independent ideas are combined using the coordinating conjunction “but.” You need a comma before the conjunction and the second complete clause.
Incorrect!
Look again. Do not forget about using conjunctions with commas.
Incorrect!
There is a comma between the complete clauses in this sentence. Is it being used correctly?
Incorrect!
Take a closer look at the sentence. Are there individual clauses in it?
Incorrect!
There are no commas in the sentence, so this cannot be a comma splice. Look again closely.
Correct!
There are two clauses put together into one sentence, thus creating a fused sentence. A period should be used after “two groups of participants.” Then a new complete sentence would start with “Perhaps the experiment was not…”
Incorrect!
Look closely at what comes before and after the comma and try again.
Correct!
Good job! You should not use a comma to finish one sentence and start the next. you should use a period.
Incorrect!
In a fused sentence, no punctuation is used between two complete sentences. Try again.
Correct!
Encouragement
Incorrect!
Explanation
Correct!
Encouragement
Incorrect!
Explanation
Correct!
Encouragement
Incorrect!
Explanation
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