Writing / Avoiding Run-ons, and comma splices

An independent clause

• expresses an incomplete idea.

• expresses a complete idea.

• has no subject and no verb.

One example of a run-on sentence is a sentence with

• two independent clauses and no comma.

• two independent clauses, a comma, and a conjunction.

• one independent clause and several commas.

A comma splice is usually missing

• a verb.

• a comma.

• a conjunction.

Choose the comma splice.

• Puzzles are fun to do. They can help exercise your brain.

• Puzzles are fun to do, they can help exercise your brain.

• Puzzles are fun to do they can help exercise your brain.

Choose the comma splice.

• Fish oil is good for brain health, you should eat fish every week.

• Fish oil is good for brain health, so you should eat fish every week.

• Fish oil is good for brain health. You should eat fish every week.

Choose the run-on sentence.

• Blueberries can improve memory function, and they are also tasty.

• Blueberries can improve memory function and they are also tasty.

• Blueberries can improve memory function, they are also tasty.

Choose the run-on sentence.

• People should drink plenty of water, but they should not drink too much coffee.

• People should drink plenty of water, they should not drink too much coffee.

• People should drink plenty of water they should not drink too much coffee.

Choose the run-on sentence.

• I have to give a presentation later I don't remember when.

• I have to give a presentation later, I don't remember when.

• I have to give a presentation later, but I don't remember when.

Choose the correct sentence.

• Short-term memory helps you remember where you parked your car this information will not usually go into long-term memory.

• Short-term memory helps you remember where you parked your car, but this information will not usually go into long-term memory.

• Short-term memory helps you remember where you parked your car, this information will not usually go into long-term memory.

Choose the correct sentence.

• He heard the advice about memory improvement, and he wants to become less forgetful.

• He heard the advice about memory improvement, he wants to become less forgetful.

• He heard the advice about memory improvement he wants to become less forgetful.