Comma splice and fused sentence

Chloe ate her dog food, the brand was Pedigree.

Identify the error in this sentence.

• Comma splice

• Fused sentence

Answer explanation

The two subjects, dog food and brand, are connected by an unneeded comma. If a coordinating conjunction were used after the comma, the sentence would be correct.

For example- Chloe ate her dog food, and the brand was Pedigree. (Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction.)

The cheerleaders got new uniforms they can not wait for the first game in November.

The above sentence has a comma splice error. Do you agree? Why or why not?

Answer explanation

No, this sentence is not a comma splice error as a comma splice contains two main clauses incorrectly joined by a comma. The above is a fused sentence because it did not display a comma between independent clauses.No, this sentence is not a comma splice error as a comma splice contains two main clauses incorrectly joined by a comma. The above is a fused sentence because it did not display a comma between independent clauses.

Julie is a real hypochondriac when her stomach hurts, she is certain that she has a bleeding ulcer, and if she has a backache, she believes that she has cancer of the spine.

This item is a ___________

• Fused sentence

• Comma splice

Answer explanation

The problem occurs between hypochondriac and when. Julie is a real hypochondriac is a main clause, so it can stand alone as a complete sentence. When her stomach hurts, she is certain ... begins the next complete sentence.

Because these two parts have only blank space between them, they make a fused sentence, a major sentence error.

To fix the problem, you could put a period after hypochondriac and then capitalize the W in when.

My cat Buster loves to nap on warm appliances when he sleeps on top of the microwave oven, his tail swipes the glass door like a windshield wiper.

Is the item is a fused sentence?

• 
• 

Answer explanation

The problem occurs between appliances and when. My cat Buster loves to nap on warm appliances is a main clause, so it can stand alone as a complete sentence. When he sleeps on top of the microwave oven, his tail swipes the glass door ... begins the next complete sentence.

Because these two parts have only blank space between them, they make a fused sentence, a major sentence error.

To fix the problem, you could put a period after appliances and then capitalize the W for when.

Lorna did not last long in Mr. Wolcott's busy office, her long fingernails made accurate typing impossible, and her abrasive manner scared away too many potential clients.

A. Identify the error

B. Choose the best method to fix the underlined problem.

• A. Fused Sentence

  B. ... office her ...

• A. Comma splice

  B. ... office, because he...

• A. Fused sentence

  B. ....office and her

• A. Comma splice

  B. ... office. Her ...

Answer explanation

A. This sentence is a comma splice as two main clause unnecessarily joined by a comma.

B. Lorna did not last long in Mr. Wolcott's busy office is a main clause. Her long fingernails made accurate typing impossible is the second main clause. We can use a period and a capital letter between the two main clauses.

Read the item below. Choose the underlined part where a fused sentence occurs.

If Chris hopes to survive in his 8 a.m. English class, he needs to discover caffeine even when he has a test, his head hits the desk by 8:05, and snores soon escape his mouth.

• caffeine even

• 8:05, and

• test, his

• soon escape

Answer explanation

The blank space between caffeine and even makes a fused sentence. At this spot, there are two complete sentences joined with no punctuation, causing a major error. He needs to discover caffeine is the main clause of the first sentence. When he has a test, his head hits the desk ... begins the next complete sentence.

To fix this problem, you could put a period after caffeine and capitalize the E that begins even.

Read the item below. Choose the underlined part fused sentence occurs.

Although you might not believe it, Antonio actually benefits from his chicken scratch handwriting because no one can read it, Antonio does not worry about word choice or spelling.

• it, Antonio

• handwriting because

• it, Antonio

• worry about

Answer explanation

Antonio actually benefits from his chicken scratch handwriting is a complete sentence. Because no one can read it, Antonio does not worry ... is a second complete sentence. Because only blank space exists between handwriting and because, a fused sentence results.

To fix this problem, you could put a period after handwriting and capitalize the B in because.

The following sentence has no comma splice or fused run-on error.

People have been making artificial limbs since Western antiquity, there are older references to prostheses in the Rigveda which is at least 3000 years old.

• 
• 

During English class, Anthony kept flirting with RaShaunda because his behavior was keeping Shenicka from understanding the lecture, Shenicka whacked him over the head with her heavy dictionary.

Identify the error

• Comma splice

• Fused sentence

Answer explanation

The problem occurs between RaShaunda and because. Anthony kept flirting with RaShaunda is a main clause, so it can stand alone as a complete sentence. Because his behavior was keeping Shenicka from understanding the lecture, Shenicka whacked him ... begins the next complete sentence.

Since these two parts have only blank space between them, they make a fused sentence, a major sentence error.

To fix the problem, you could put a period after RaShaunda and then capitalize the B for because.

In preparation for the quiz, La'Mia studied comma splices and fused sentences until she thought her brain would burst, finally, she put away her notes, convinced that she would remember the rules even on her death bed.

This item have _______ error

• no error

• comma splice error

• fused sentence error

Answer explanation

The problem occurs between burst and finally. La'Mia studied comma splices and fused sentences ... begins a complete sentence. Finally, she put away her notes ...starts the next complete sentence.

Because these two parts have just a comma between them, they create a comma splice, a major sentence error.

To fix the problem, you could put a period after burst and then capitalize the F for finally.