Punctuating Independent Clauses Quiz

1. Which sentence correctly joins two independent clauses?

I like to read, I do not like to write.

I like to read and I do not like to write.

I like to read, but I do not like to write.

I like to read; and I do not like to write.

Sentence C uses a comma plus the conjunction and between two complete ideas.

Explanation

Sentence C uses a comma plus the conjunction and between two complete ideas.

2. A semicolon can correctly join two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction.

True

False

A semicolon can stand between two related independent clauses in place of a period.

Explanation

A semicolon can stand between two related independent clauses in place of a period.

3. Which is the best way to fix the sentence "She loves music she cannot play an instrument."?

She loves music, she cannot play an instrument.

She loves music but she cannot play an instrument.

She loves music, but she cannot play an instrument.

She loves music; but she cannot play an instrument.

Adding a comma and but between the two clauses correctly creates a compound sentence.

Explanation

Adding a comma and but between the two clauses correctly creates a compound sentence.

4. A comma splice happens when two independent clauses are joined with just a ________.

A comma splice uses only a comma where stronger punctuation or a conjunction is needed.

Explanation

A comma splice uses only a comma where stronger punctuation or a conjunction is needed.

Submit

5. Which punctuation correctly completes the sentence: "I wanted to call you ___ my phone battery was dead"?

, and

, but

; but

, because

The idea contrasts, so but with a comma before it correctly joins the two clauses.

Explanation

The idea contrasts, so but with a comma before it correctly joins the two clauses.

6. What is one correct way to join two independent clauses?

Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS).

Use only a comma between them.

Put nothing between them.

Use only the word and with no comma.

You can join two independent clauses with a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction like and or but.

Explanation

You can join two independent clauses with a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction like and or but.

7. You can fix a run-on between two independent clauses by changing the comma to a period and making two sentences.

True

False

A period separates the two independent clauses into two complete sentences.

Explanation

A period separates the two independent clauses into two complete sentences.

8. Correct the sentence: "She likes soccer she does not like basketball." → "She likes soccer, but she does not like ______."

Adding a comma and but joins the two independent clauses smoothly.

Explanation

Adding a comma and but joins the two independent clauses smoothly.

Submit

9. Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon and a transitional word to join two independent clauses?

I wanted to go; but however, it was late.

I wanted to go, however it was late.

I wanted to go; however, it was late.

I wanted to go however; it was late.

The correct pattern is: independent clause; however, independent clause.

Explanation

The correct pattern is: independent clause; however, independent clause.

10. Using only a comma between two independent clauses is correct punctuation.

True

False

A single comma between independent clauses makes a comma splice, which is incorrect.

Explanation

A single comma between independent clauses makes a comma splice, which is incorrect.

11. Which sentence is a comma splice?

We went outside, and it was raining.

We went outside; it was raining.

We went outside it was raining.

We went outside, it was raining.

Sentence D uses only a comma between two independent clauses, which is a comma splice.

Explanation

Sentence D uses only a comma between two independent clauses, which is a comma splice.

12. Which revision correctly fixes the run-on sentence "He was tired he went to bed early"?

He was tired, he went to bed early.

He was tired and went to bed early.

He was tired; he went to bed early.

He was tired because he went to bed early.

A semicolon between the two complete ideas makes two independent clauses correctly joined.

Explanation

A semicolon between the two complete ideas makes two independent clauses correctly joined.

13. When two independent clauses are written together with no punctuation or conjunction, the result is called a ______-on sentence.

Two independent clauses with no joining punctuation or conjunction create a run-on sentence.

Explanation

Two independent clauses with no joining punctuation or conjunction create a run-on sentence.

Submit

14. A punctuation mark that can join two related independent clauses without a conjunction is called a ________.

A semicolon (;) can join two related independent clauses without a conjunction.

Explanation

A semicolon (;) can join two related independent clauses without a conjunction.

Submit

15. Which sentences correctly join two independent clauses?

She loves music, but she cannot play an instrument.

She loves music she cannot play an instrument.

I finished my homework; I watched TV.

I finished my homework, I watched TV.

The rain stopped, and the sun came out.

A, C, and E use a comma with a conjunction or a semicolon to join complete clauses.

Explanation

A, C, and E use a comma with a conjunction or a semicolon to join complete clauses.

Submit

16. A semicolon usually goes before a coordinating conjunction like and or but.

True

False

A semicolon replaces a comma plus conjunction, so it does not normally go before the conjunction.

Explanation

A semicolon replaces a comma plus conjunction, so it does not normally go before the conjunction.

17. You should use a comma before a coordinating conjunction when it joins two independent clauses.

True

False

When two complete sentences are joined with a coordinating conjunction, a comma usually comes before the conjunction.

Explanation

When two complete sentences are joined with a coordinating conjunction, a comma usually comes before the conjunction.

18. Which statements describe a comma splice?

Two independent clauses joined with only a comma.

Two clauses joined with a comma and a coordinating conjunction.

An error in punctuation between independent clauses.

Two independent clauses joined with a semicolon.

A type of run on sentence.

A comma splice is a type of run-on sentence in which two independent clauses are joined with only a comma.

Explanation

A comma splice is a type of run-on sentence in which two independent clauses are joined with only a comma.

Submit

19. Which of these are run on sentences?

The dog barked, and the cat ran away.

The dog barked the cat ran away.

The dog barked, the cat ran away.

The dog barked; the cat ran away.

The dog barked and the cat ran away.

Sentence B has no joining punctuation, and Sentence C has only a comma; both are incorrect joins of independent clauses.

Explanation

Sentence B has no joining punctuation, and Sentence C has only a comma; both are incorrect joins of independent clauses.

Submit

20. Which coordinating conjunctions can follow a comma to correctly join two independent clauses?

And

Because

But

For

Although

“And,” “but,” and “for” are coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) that can join two independent clauses with a comma.

Explanation

“And,” “but,” and “for” are coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) that can join two independent clauses with a comma.

Submit

Master Comma Rules: Punctuating Independent Clauses Quiz

1. Which sentence correctly joins two independent clauses?

2. A semicolon can correctly join two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction.

3. Which is the best way to fix the sentence "She loves music she cannot play an instrument."?

4. A comma splice happens when two independent clauses are joined with just a ________.

5. Which punctuation correctly completes the sentence: "I wanted to call you ___ my phone battery was dead"?

6. What is one correct way to join two independent clauses?

7. You can fix a run-on between two independent clauses by changing the comma to a period and making two sentences.

8. Correct the sentence: "She likes soccer she does not like basketball." → "She likes soccer, but she does not like ______."

9. Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon and a transitional word to join two independent clauses?

10. Using only a comma between two independent clauses is correct punctuation.

11. Which sentence is a comma splice?

12. Which revision correctly fixes the run-on sentence "He was tired he went to bed early"?

13. When two independent clauses are written together with no punctuation or conjunction, the result is called a ______-on sentence.

14. A punctuation mark that can join two related independent clauses without a conjunction is called a ________.

15. Which sentences correctly join two independent clauses?

16. A semicolon usually goes before a coordinating conjunction like and or but.

17. You should use a comma before a coordinating conjunction when it joins two independent clauses.

18. Which statements describe a comma splice?

19. Which of these are run on sentences?

20. Which coordinating conjunctions can follow a comma to correctly join two independent clauses?