Run-Ons and Comma Splices Practice

Identify the run-on sentence in the following: I went to the store I bought some groceries.

• I went to the store and bought some groceries.

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

• I went to the store I bought some groceries.

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

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'I went to the store I bought some groceries.' This is a run-on sentence as it contains two independent clauses without proper punctuation or conjunction.

Identify the comma splice in the following: She loves to read, she spends hours at the library every day.

• She loves to read; she spends hours at the library every day.

• She loves to read, she spends hours at the library every day.

• She loves to read. She spends hours at the library every day.

• She loves to read she spends hours at the library every day.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'She loves to read; she spends hours at the library every day.' This choice correctly uses a semicolon to separate the two independent clauses.

Correct the comma splice: I enjoy playing basketball, I also like to swim.

• I enjoy playing basketball, but I also like to swim.

• I enjoy playing basketball, I also like to swim.

• I enjoy playing basketball, however I also like to swim.

• I enjoy playing basketball, and I also like to swim.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'I enjoy playing basketball, and I also like to swim.' This choice uses 'and' to properly connect the two independent clauses.

Identify the run-on sentence in the following: The sun was shining, it was a beautiful day.

• The sun was shining, it was a beautiful day.

• The sun was shining, and it was a beautiful day.

• The sun was shining, but it was a beautiful day.

• The sun was shining, however it was a beautiful day.

Answer explanation

The run-on sentence is 'The sun was shining, it was a beautiful day.' It lacks proper punctuation or conjunction to separate the two independent clauses.

Identify the comma splice in the following: We went to the beach, the weather was perfect.

• We went to the beach, and the weather was perfect.

• We went to the beach, the weather was perfect.

• We went to the beach and the weather was perfect.

• We went to the beach the weather was perfect.

Answer explanation

The comma splice is 'We went to the beach, the weather was perfect.' The correct choice is 'We went to the beach, and the weather was perfect.'

Correct the run-on sentence: I need to finish my homework I want to go to the movies.

• I need to finish my homework, I want to go to the beach.

• I need to finish my homework, I want to eat dinner.

• I need to finish my homework I want to take a nap.

• I need to finish my homework. I want to go to the movies.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'I need to finish my homework. I want to go to the movies.' This choice correctly separates the two independent clauses with a period.

Correct the comma splice: The concert was amazing, everyone had a great time.

• The concert was amazing, but everyone had a great time.

• The concert was amazing, and everyone had a great time.

• The concert was amazing everyone had a great time.

• The concert was amazing, so everyone had a great time.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is: The concert was amazing, and everyone had a great time. This choice correctly combines the two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction.

Identify the run-on sentence in the following: I woke up early, I went for a run.

• I woke up early, I went for a run.

• I woke up early, I went for a walk.

• I woke up early, I went to bed.

• I woke up early, I went to the gym.

Answer explanation

The run-on sentence is 'I woke up early, I went for a run.' It consists of two independent clauses without proper punctuation or conjunction.

Identify the comma splice in the following: She is very talented, she can sing and dance.

• She is very talented, she can sing and dance.

• She is very talented, she can sing and dance,

• She is very talented; she can sing and dance.

• She is very talented she can sing and dance.

Answer explanation

The comma splice is in the first option: 'She is very talented, she can sing and dance.' The comma should be replaced with a semicolon to correct the sentence structure.

Correct the run-on sentence: She wanted to go to the beach she forgot her sunscreen at home.

• She wanted to go to the beach, she forgot her sunscreen at home.

• She wanted to go to the beach. She forgot her sunscreen at home.

• She wanted to go to the beach; she forgot her sunscreen at home.

• She wanted to go to the beach she really forgot her sunscreen at home.