Common Comma Errors Quiz: Trivia Test!

1. When a sentence starts out with a subordinating conjunction (aaawwubbis word), prepositional phrase, or participial phrase, and there is no comma after the clause or phrase, what type of error is that?

When a sentence starts with a subordinating conjunction, prepositional phrase, or participial phrase, it is considered an introductory element. An introductory element should be followed by a comma to separate it from the main clause of the sentence. If there is no comma after the introductory element, it is an error known as an Introductory Element Error (IE).

Explanation

When a sentence starts with a subordinating conjunction, prepositional phrase, or participial phrase, it is considered an introductory element. An introductory element should be followed by a comma to separate it from the main clause of the sentence. If there is no comma after the introductory element, it is an error known as an Introductory Element Error (IE).

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2. The sentence below is a run-on. I like white chocolate but I hate regular chocolate.

True

False

The given sentence is a run-on because it combines two independent clauses without proper punctuation or conjunction. The clauses "I like white chocolate" and "I hate regular chocolate" are not properly separated. A run-on sentence can be corrected by adding a coordinating conjunction like "but" or by using a period or semicolon to separate the clauses. Therefore, the correct answer is True.

Explanation

The given sentence is a run-on because it combines two independent clauses without proper punctuation or conjunction. The clauses "I like white chocolate" and "I hate regular chocolate" are not properly separated. A run-on sentence can be corrected by adding a coordinating conjunction like "but" or by using a period or semicolon to separate the clauses. Therefore, the correct answer is True.

3. The sentence below is a comma splice. I love typing I do it all the time.

True

False

The sentence "I love typing, I do it all the time" is not a comma splice because it contains two independent clauses that are not properly joined. In a comma splice, two independent clauses are incorrectly joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction or appropriate punctuation. However, in this sentence, the two independent clauses are separated by a period, indicating a correct separation of thoughts.

Explanation

The sentence "I love typing, I do it all the time" is not a comma splice because it contains two independent clauses that are not properly joined. In a comma splice, two independent clauses are incorrectly joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction or appropriate punctuation. However, in this sentence, the two independent clauses are separated by a period, indicating a correct separation of thoughts.

4. Which sentence below is punctuated correctly?

I went to Mimi's Cafe and I ordered a chicken salad.

I went to Mimi's Cafe, I ordered a chicken salad.

I went to Mimi's Cafe, and I ordered a chicken salad.

I went to Mimi's Cafe I oredered a chicken salad.

When joining two sentences together, you need both a comma and a fanboy.

Explanation

When joining two sentences together, you need both a comma and a fanboy.

5. What are the error types found in the sentences below? (choose the answer that has the correct order) I went to Mimi's Cafe and I ordered a chicken salad. I went to Mimi's Cafe, I ordered a chicken salad. I went to Mimi's Cafe I ordered a chicken salad.

Run-on, introductory element error, comma splice

Run-on, comma splice, fused sentence

Introductory element error, fragment, fused sentence

Sentence #1 has a fanboy but no comma = run-on. Sentence #2 has a comma but no fanboy = comma splice Sentence #3 has no separation between the two sentences = fused sentence

Explanation

Sentence #1 has a fanboy but no comma = run-on. Sentence #2 has a comma but no fanboy = comma splice Sentence #3 has no separation between the two sentences = fused sentence

6. Which sentence below is punctuated correctly?

Running around all day long.

Running around all day long is very tiring.

Running around all day long being chased by my little brother.

Sentence a and c were fragmented. They were not complete sentences. Sentence a and C do not have subjects: WHO is running around all day. In sentence b, running around all day is the subject as it is what is tiring.

Explanation

Sentence a and c were fragmented. They were not complete sentences. Sentence a and C do not have subjects: WHO is running around all day. In sentence b, running around all day is the subject as it is what is tiring.

7. Which error is contained in the sentence below? We went shopping we got a lot of clothes.

Fused Sentence

Run-On

Comma Splice

Introductory Element Error

Fragment

Since there are two complete sentences with nothing separating them, we have a fused sentence.

Explanation

Since there are two complete sentences with nothing separating them, we have a fused sentence.

8. Which error type is contained in the sentence below? Before I bought the clothes I tried them on.

Fused Sentence

Run-On

Comma Splice

Introductory Element Error

Fragment

Since you have a introductory clause (beginning with an aaawwubbis word), you need a comma after the introduction. Without it, you have an introductory element error.

Explanation

Since you have a introductory clause (beginning with an aaawwubbis word), you need a comma after the introduction. Without it, you have an introductory element error.

9. Which error is contained in the sentence below? We went shopping and we got a lot of clothes.

Fused Sentence

Run-On

Comma Splice

Introductory Element Error

Fragment

Since there is a fanboy, but no comma, it is a runon.

Explanation

Since there is a fanboy, but no comma, it is a runon.

10. Check all the sentences below that are fragments.

Running around all day long, I cut my leg.

Jumping rope while humming a song.

Because we wanted to do it.

Jumping rope, I felt like I got a good work out.

Because we made it, I felt releaved.

While they chased us around the floor.

When you start off with a -ing word or an aaawwubbis word, you need a second half or else you have a fragment, (remember sometimes your -ing word is your subject, and then you don't need a second half: Playing games is fun!)

Explanation

When you start off with a -ing word or an aaawwubbis word, you need a second half or else you have a fragment, (remember sometimes your -ing word is your subject, and then you don't need a second half: Playing games is fun!)

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11. USE Your notes. Take this seriously, and pretend it is the REAL quiz. Think it through, and if you get it wrong, read the explanation of why/how you got it wrong, so you can learn. If you don't get the explanation, then ask me in person the next day, but please use this as an opportunity to LEARN. Match the error type with its definition. In your notes, look at the example you wrote for each error type.

Run-On

Comma Splice

Fused Sentence

Introductory Element Error

Fragment

Run-On: YOu have a fanboy, but no comma

Comma Splice: YOu have a comma, but no fanboy.

Fused Sentence: You have two sentences with nothing in between

Explanation

Run-On: YOu have a fanboy, but no comma

Comma Splice: YOu have a comma, but no fanboy.

Fused Sentence: You have two sentences with nothing in between

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