Combining Clauses

Fill in the blank: Jim studied in the media center ________ he has an exam next block.

• because

• so

• of

• are

A comma splice is...

• a correct way to write a sentence.

• the same as a fragment

• the same as a run-on sentence

• combining two independent clauses with only a comma.

Which of these is a run-on?

• I didn't want my students to be bored, so I made this quiz to try to entertain them, even though some of them hate grammar.

• I love apples they are delicious.

• Some people believe in astrology while others say it is all fake.

• Spring Break is great, but not when you can't do anything outside!

Punctuate the following sentence:

I am working now but we can go to dinner soon.

• no change

• now; but

• now, but

• now. But

True or false - this sentence correctly uses a semicolon:

English is the best; because of reading.

• True

• False

What are FANBOYS words?

• Subordinating conjunctions

• males who like music

• conjunction junction

• coordinating conjunctions

When a sentence STARTS with a dependent clause, you need a comma before you join it with an independent clause.

• true

• false

Two independent clauses can be joined with a comma and a FANBOYS word.

• true

• false

Their teacher is very smart. She went to a good school. (What two ways can these be combined?)

• Their teacher was very smart because she went to a good school.

• Their teacher was very smart, because she went to a good school.

• Their teacher was very smart, for she went to a good school.

• Their teacher was very smart for she went to a good school.

If you follow the rules, combining clauses is easy.

• correct

• incorrect