WB 101 & 103

Determine if the following sentence is a comma splice, run-on, or correct.
#1. Mars is the fourth planet from the sun it is the one you see most clearly from Earth.

• run on sentence

• comma splice

• correct

Answer explanation

This is a run on sentence. A run-on sentence occurs when two simple sentences are incorrectly joined without punctuation or a connecting word.

Correct: Mars is the fourth planet from the sun. It is the one you can see most clearly from Earth.

Determine if the following sentence is a comma splice, run-on, or correct.
#2. Mars is only one-half the size of Earth.

• run on sentence

• comma splice

• correct

Answer explanation

This sentence is correct. It is one simple sentence.

Determine if the following sentence is a comma splice, run-on, or correct.
#3. Mars shines with red and orange light, it is often called the Red Planet.

• run on sentence

• comma splice

• correct

Answer explanation

Notice the comma in the sentence? That comma is incorrectly joining two simple sentences which makes this a comma splice. It can be fixed by choosing one of the three ways to fix a comma splice.

Correct: Mars shines with red and orange light, so it is often called the Red Planet.

Determine if the following sentence is a comma splice, run-on, or correct.
#4. The Romans named Mars after their god of war its red color reminded them of blood and war.

• run on sentence

• comma splice

• correct

Answer explanation

This is a run on sentence. A run-on sentence occurs when two simple sentences are incorrectly joined without punctuation or a connecting word.

Correct: The Romans named Mars after their god of war. Its red color reminded them of blood and war.

Determine if the following sentence is a comma splice, run-on, or correct.
#5. Mars has seasons like those on Earth its days are also about 24 hours long.

• run on sentence

• comma splice

• correct

Answer explanation

This is a run on sentence. A run-on sentence occurs when two simple sentences are incorrectly joined without punctuation or a connecting word.

Correct: Mars has seasons like those on Earth. Its days are also about 24 hours long.

Determine if the following sentence is a comma splice, run-on, or correct.
#6. Mars has two moons called Phobos and Deimos.

• run on sentence

• comma splice

• correct

Answer explanation

This is correct. It is one simple sentence punctuated correctly.

Determine if the following sentence is a comma splice, run-on, or correct.
#7. People used to believe that there were people on Mars, they made up stories about Martians.

• run on sentence

• comma splice

• correct

Answer explanation

Notice the comma in the sentence? That comma is incorrectly joining two simple sentences which makes this a comma splice. It can be fixed by choosing one of the three ways to fix a comma splice.

Correct: People used to believe that there were people on Mars, and they made up stories about Martians.

Determine if the following sentence is a comma splice, run-on, or correct.
103.#1. Gwendolyn Brooks loved people you could tell that the first time you met her.

• run on sentence

• comma splice

• correct

Answer explanation

This is a run on sentence. A run-on sentence occurs when two simple sentences are incorrectly joined without punctuation or a connecting word.

Correct: Gwendolyn Brooks loved people. You could tell that the first time you met her.

Determine if the following sentence is a comma splice, run-on, or correct.
103.#2. I heard her read her poetry in a Chicago bookstore, she drew a big crowd.

• run on sentence

• comma splice

• correct

Answer explanation

Notice the comma in the sentence? That comma is incorrectly joining two simple sentences which makes this a comma splice. It can be fixed by choosing one of the three ways to fix a comma splice.

Correct: I heard her read her poetry in a Chicago bookstore, and she drew a big crowd.

Determine if the following sentence is a comma splice, run-on, or correct.
103.#3. We had all come to see and hear the famous poet read some of her poetry I felt like I was in the presence of a living legend.

• run on sentence

• comma splice

• correct

Answer explanation

This is a run on sentence. A run-on sentence occurs when two simple sentences are incorrectly joined without punctuation or a connecting word.

Correct: We had all come to see and hear the famous poet read some of her poetry. I felt like I was in the presence of a living legend.