Comma Splices Quiz

What is a comma splice?

• A comma splice is a punctuation mark used to separate items in a list.

• A comma splice is a grammatical error that occurs when a comma is used instead of a semicolon.

• A comma splice is a grammatical error that occurs when two independent clauses are joined together with only a comma.

• A comma splice is a type of sentence fragment.

Answer explanation

A comma splice refers to a grammatical error where two independent clauses are improperly connected using only a comma. This error can be fixed by using a semicolon or conjunction. The other options incorrectly define a comma splice as a punctuation mark, type of sentence fragment, or suggest it's used in place of a semicolon.

Tags

E2.9D

Which of the following is an example of a comma splice? A) I went to the store, I bought some groceries. B) I went to the store and bought some groceries. C) I went to the store. I bought some groceries.

• B

• C

• A

Answer explanation

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are connected with just a comma. The sentence 'I went to the store, I bought some groceries.' is a perfect example of this, hence the correct choice. The other options show correct usage of conjunctions and periods to connect clauses.

Tags

E2.9D

How can you fix a comma splice?

• Remove the comma and leave the clauses as one sentence.

• Use a subordinating conjunction to join the clauses.

• Use a semicolon to separate the clauses.

• Use a coordinating conjunction or separate the clauses into separate sentences.

Answer explanation

A comma splice is a common grammatical error in English where two independent clauses are joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction. The correct way to fix a comma splice is either to use a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) in conjunction with a comma, or to separate the clauses into separate sentences. This is why the correct option is 'Use a coordinating conjunction or separate the clauses into separate sentences.'

Tags

E2.9D

Which of the following is a correct way to fix a comma splice? A) I went to the store, and I bought some groceries. B) I went to the store I bought some groceries. C) I went to the store. I bought some groceries.

D) I went to the store, I bought some groceries.

• C) I went to the store. I bought some groceries.

• A) I went to the store, and I bought some groceries.

• B) I went to the store I bought some groceries.

• D) I went to the store, I bought some groceries.

Answer explanation

The correct way to fix a comma splice is by using a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) after the comma or by dividing the sentence into two separate sentences. The option 'I went to the store, and I bought some groceries.' uses a conjunction, and 'I went to the store. I bought some groceries.' divides it into two sentences.

Tags

E2.9D

What is a common mistake with comma splices?

• Using a period instead of a comma.

• Joining two dependent clauses with a comma.

• Joining two independent clauses with a comma instead of using a coordinating conjunction or separating them into separate sentences.

• Using a semicolon instead of a comma.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'Joining two independent clauses with a comma instead of using a coordinating conjunction or separating them into separate sentences.' This is a common mistake known as a comma splice, where two independent clauses are incorrectly joined with only a comma without appropriate conjunction or sentence separation.

Tags

E2.9D

What is a complex sentence?

• A complex sentence is a sentence that contains a subject and a predicate.

• A complex sentence is a sentence that contains an independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

• A complex sentence is a sentence that contains only dependent clauses.

• A complex sentence is a sentence that contains two independent clauses.

Answer explanation

The question asks about the definition of a complex sentence. The correct answer is that a complex sentence contains an independent clause and at least one dependent clause. This sets it apart from sentences that only contain a subject and a predicate, only dependent clauses, or two independent clauses.

Tags

E2.9D

Which of the following sentences contains a run-on sentence? A) I went to the park, and I played soccer. B) I went to the park; I played soccer. C) I went to the park, I played soccer.

D) I went to the park I played soccer.

• D) I went to the park I played soccer.

• B) I went to the park; I played soccer.

• C) I went to the park, I played soccer.

• A) I went to the park, and I played soccer.

Answer explanation

The sentence 'I went to the park I played soccer.' is a run-on sentence. This is because it consists of two independent clauses that are not properly separated by punctuation or conjunction. The sentence should have either a semicolon, a comma accompanied by a coordinating conjunction like 'and', or a period to separate the two thoughts.

Tags

E2.9D

What is a compound sentence?

• A compound sentence is a sentence that consists of a dependent clause and an independent clause.

• A compound sentence is a sentence that consists of two or more independent clauses joined together by coordinating conjunctions or punctuation.

• A compound sentence is a sentence that consists of two or more dependent clauses joined together by coordinating conjunctions or punctuation.

• A compound sentence is a sentence that consists of a subject and a predicate.

Answer explanation

The question asks about the definition of a compound sentence. The correct answer is that a compound sentence is one that consists of two or more independent clauses joined together by coordinating conjunctions or punctuation. This option stands out from the others as it accurately reflects the nature of a compound sentence, distinguishing it from options involving dependent clauses or just a subject and a predicate.

Tags

E2.9D

Identify the sentence with a comma splice from the options below: A) She loves to dance, she goes to the studio every day. B) She loves to dance and goes to the studio every day. C) She loves to dance; she goes to the studio every day.

• A

• B

• C

Answer explanation

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are connected with a comma without a coordinating conjunction. The sentence 'She loves to dance, she goes to the studio every day.' is an example of this, as it improperly uses a comma to connect two independent clauses.

Tags

E2.9D

What is a simple sentence?

• A simple sentence is a sentence that contains a subject and a predicate.

• A simple sentence is a sentence that contains an independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

• A simple sentence is a sentence that contains only dependent clauses.

• A simple sentence is a sentence that contains two independent clauses.

Answer explanation

A simple sentence, as defined in the question, is a sentence that contains a subject and a predicate. The other options incorrectly define it as containing dependent clauses or multiple independent clauses, which is not accurate. Therefore, the correct answer is that a simple sentence contains a subject and a predicate.

Tags

E2.9D