Test Your Knowledge About Run-on Sentences

1. What is a run-on sentence?

A sentence that has legs and is escaping the page.

A sentence that contains two or more clauses but lacks proper punctuation to break it up.

A sentence that has too many punctuation marks.

A sentence that can only be fixed by adding a comma.

A run-on sentence is a sentence that contains two or more clauses but lacks proper punctuation to break it up. This means that the clauses are not separated by the appropriate punctuation marks such as periods, commas, or semicolons. As a result, the sentence becomes long and confusing, as the different ideas or thoughts are not properly distinguished. To fix a run-on sentence, one must add the necessary punctuation to separate the clauses and make the sentence clear and grammatically correct.

Explanation

A run-on sentence is a sentence that contains two or more clauses but lacks proper punctuation to break it up. This means that the clauses are not separated by the appropriate punctuation marks such as periods, commas, or semicolons. As a result, the sentence becomes long and confusing, as the different ideas or thoughts are not properly distinguished. To fix a run-on sentence, one must add the necessary punctuation to separate the clauses and make the sentence clear and grammatically correct.

2. Which of these sentences is a run-on sentence?

I am going to go to the movies tonight do you want to come with me?

The movie I want to see is supposed to be very scary.

I'll go to a different movie if you don't like horror movies.

My friend Samantha is supposed to meet me at the movie theatre.

You can fix this sentence by replacing the comma with a period. Don't forget to capitalize the word "do".

Explanation

You can fix this sentence by replacing the comma with a period. Don't forget to capitalize the word "do".

3. Which of the following will fix a comma-splice.

Another comma.

Semicolon and conjunctive adverb.

Scrapping the sentence - there is nothing you can do to save it.

Putting a gerund in the sentence.

The correct answer is "Semicolon and conjunctive adverb." A comma-splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined together with just a comma. To fix this error, a semicolon can be used to separate the two independent clauses, and a conjunctive adverb can be added to show the relationship between the clauses. This combination helps to create a clear and grammatically correct sentence.

Explanation

The correct answer is "Semicolon and conjunctive adverb." A comma-splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined together with just a comma. To fix this error, a semicolon can be used to separate the two independent clauses, and a conjunctive adverb can be added to show the relationship between the clauses. This combination helps to create a clear and grammatically correct sentence.

4. President Kennedy's interest in space exploration.

Sentence

Fragment

Run-on

The given correct answer is "Fragment". A fragment is an incomplete sentence that lacks a subject, a verb, or both. In the context of President Kennedy's interest in space exploration, the sentence does not provide a complete thought or express a clear idea. It only mentions the subject (President Kennedy) and a topic of interest (space exploration) without a verb or a complete idea. Therefore, it is considered a fragment.

Explanation

The given correct answer is "Fragment". A fragment is an incomplete sentence that lacks a subject, a verb, or both. In the context of President Kennedy's interest in space exploration, the sentence does not provide a complete thought or express a clear idea. It only mentions the subject (President Kennedy) and a topic of interest (space exploration) without a verb or a complete idea. Therefore, it is considered a fragment.

5. Which of these sentences is a run-on sentence?

Our English teacher gives us a lot of tests, and they're usually difficult.

There's a test today, I hope you studied for it.

The test is on punctuation, and it's supposed to be difficult.

I studied a lot last night, so I think I'll do well.

You can fix this sentence by replacing the comma with a period, or by putting the word "so" after the comma.

Explanation

You can fix this sentence by replacing the comma with a period, or by putting the word "so" after the comma.

6. What is a comma-splice?

When a comma is not used in a sentence to join two independent clauses.

When two or more commas are used in a sentence, breaking it up for no reason.

A love triangle between two sentences and a dastardly comma.

A sentence that has two independent clauses joined together by a comma.

A comma-splice is a sentence that has two independent clauses joined together by a comma. This is considered incorrect because independent clauses should be separated by a coordinating conjunction (such as "and," "but," or "or") or by a semicolon. Using a comma to join two independent clauses creates a run-on sentence.

Explanation

A comma-splice is a sentence that has two independent clauses joined together by a comma. This is considered incorrect because independent clauses should be separated by a coordinating conjunction (such as "and," "but," or "or") or by a semicolon. Using a comma to join two independent clauses creates a run-on sentence.

7. Which of these is an example of a comma-splice?

I went the library to study, but I got nothing done.

It is too late, we will never escape!

In my day, shoes were a luxury!

Marty, you're on fire again.

The given sentence "It is too late, we will never escape!" is an example of a comma splice. A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses (complete sentences) are joined together with only a comma, which is incorrect punctuation. In this sentence, "It is too late" and "we will never escape" are both independent clauses, and they should be separated by a conjunction (such as "and" or "but") or by using a period to create two separate sentences.

Explanation

The given sentence "It is too late, we will never escape!" is an example of a comma splice. A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses (complete sentences) are joined together with only a comma, which is incorrect punctuation. In this sentence, "It is too late" and "we will never escape" are both independent clauses, and they should be separated by a conjunction (such as "and" or "but") or by using a period to create two separate sentences.