Comma Splices Diagnostic Quiz

What is an independent clause?

• A group of words that can stand alone as a sentence, containing a subject and a verb.

• A phrase that cannot stand alone and depends on another clause.

• A type of sentence that expresses a complete thought without a subject.

• A collection of words that lacks a verb and cannot form a complete sentence.

What is a comma splice?

• A grammatical error that occurs when two independent clauses are joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction.

• A type of punctuation used to separate items in a list.

• A method of connecting two sentences with a semicolon.

• A technique for enhancing sentence variety by using dashes.

Provide an example of a complex sentence that does not contain a comma splice.

• Although it was raining, I decided to go for a walk.

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

• She enjoys reading books, she often visits the library.

• He likes to play soccer, but he also enjoys basketball.

Identify the error: "She loves to read, she goes to the library every week."

• This sentence contains a comma splice.

• This sentence is grammatically correct.

• This sentence is a run-on sentence.

• This sentence has a subject-verb agreement error.

Provide an example of a correct sentence without a comma splice.

• I wanted to go for a walk, but it was raining outside.

• I wanted to go for a walk it was raining outside.

• I wanted to go for a walk; it was raining outside.

• I wanted to go for a walk, and it was raining outside.

Identify the error: "I wanted to go for a walk, it was raining outside."

• This sentence contains a comma splice because it joins two independent clauses with just a comma.

• This sentence is correct and does not contain any errors.

• This sentence is a run-on sentence because it has too many clauses.

• This sentence is missing a conjunction to connect the clauses.

What is a dependent clause?

• A group of words that can stand alone as a sentence.

• A group of words that cannot stand alone as a sentence and depends on an independent clause.

• A type of independent clause that expresses a complete thought.

• A clause that contains a subject but no verb.

What is the purpose of using commas in complex sentences?

• To separate clauses, items in a list, or to clarify meaning.

• To indicate a pause in speech only.

• To connect two independent clauses without a conjunction.

• To replace conjunctions in a sentence.

What is the function of a semicolon in sentence structure?

• A semicolon connects closely related independent clauses without using a conjunction.

• A semicolon is used to separate items in a list.

• A semicolon indicates a pause longer than a comma but shorter than a period.

• A semicolon is used to connect two unrelated sentences.

What is the difference between a comma splice and a run-on sentence?

• A comma splice incorrectly joins two independent clauses with a comma, while a run-on sentence joins them without any punctuation.

• A comma splice uses a semicolon to join two independent clauses, while a run-on sentence uses a period.

• A comma splice is a type of run-on sentence that is grammatically correct.

• A comma splice and a run-on sentence are the same thing, both using commas incorrectly.