sentence structure fixing common sentence errors

True or False: The phrase 'Because the game was cancelled' is a sentence fragment.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

This is true. The phrase is a fragment because it's a dependent clause that starts with 'Because' and cannot stand alone as a complete thought. It needs to be attached to an independent clause to make sense.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1F

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence by fixing the run-on: 'I love playing video games ___ my favorite is Minecraft.'

• . M

• ,

• and

• :

Answer explanation

The original is a run-on sentence. Separating the two complete ideas with a period and a capital letter creates two correct sentences. Using just a comma would create a comma splice, which is also an error.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1F

Choose the best way to combine the sentences by filling in the blank: 'We went to the library ___ books for our project.'

• to find

• , to find

• ; to find

• . To find

Answer explanation

The infinitive phrase 'to find books...' correctly attaches to the main clause without punctuation to show purpose. Adding a comma or semicolon incorrectly separates the phrase from the idea it modifies.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.1A

Read the short paragraph below. Which numbered sentence is a run-on sentence? (1) My dog, Sparky, is very playful. (2) He loves to chase squirrels they always run up the big oak tree. (3) After he gets tired, he takes a long nap on the couch. (4) I think he dreams about catching them.

• Sentence 1

• Sentence 2

• Sentence 3

• Sentence 4

Answer explanation

Sentence 2 is a run-on because it fuses two independent clauses ('He loves to chase squirrels' and 'they always run up the big oak tree') without punctuation. It could be fixed by adding a period after 'squirrels' and capitalizing 'They'.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1F

True or False: The following statement correctly defines a sentence fragment: 'A sentence fragment is a mistake that occurs when you join two complete sentences together with only a comma.'

• True

• False

Answer explanation

This statement describes a comma splice. A sentence fragment is an incomplete thought (like a dependent clause or phrase) that is punctuated as if it were a full sentence.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1F

Choose the punctuation that best corrects the run-on sentence: 'The school bell rang ___ everyone rushed out of the classroom.'

• ;

• ,

• :

• -

Answer explanation

A semicolon correctly joins two closely related independent clauses. A comma alone would create a comma splice, and a colon is used to introduce a list or explanation, which doesn't fit here.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1F

Which option creates a comma splice when used to fill in the blank? 'I finished my homework ___ I watched TV.'

• , then

• ; then

• , and then

• . Then

Answer explanation

This option creates a comma splice by joining two independent clauses with only a comma ('then' is an adverb, not a coordinating conjunction). The other options use a semicolon, a coordinating conjunction (', and'), or a period to correctly separate the clauses.

Read the sentences below. Which one demonstrates incorrect comma usage, specifically a comma splice?

• We can go to the park, or we can go to the pool.

• The pizza arrived, we were all very hungry.

• After a long, tiring day, I was ready for bed.

• Sarah, my best friend, is moving to another state.

Answer explanation

This is a comma splice because two independent clauses are joined by only a comma. Option A is a correct compound sentence with ', or', and Option C correctly uses a comma after an introductory phrase.

What is the best way to fix the comma splice in this sentence? 'The concert was amazing, the band played all my favorite songs.'

• Remove the comma.

• Change the comma to a period.

• Add the word 'while' after the comma.

• Add another comma after 'band'.

Answer explanation

Changing the comma to a period correctly separates the two independent clauses into two distinct sentences. Removing the comma (Option A) would create a fused run-on sentence, which is also an error.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Complete the sentence by correctly fixing the comma splice using a coordinating conjunction: 'She studied hard for the test, ___ she wanted to get a good grade.'

• so

• but

• or

• yet

Answer explanation

The conjunction 'so' correctly shows the cause-and-effect relationship between the two clauses. 'But' or 'yet' would incorrectly suggest a contrast, which doesn't fit the logic of the sentence.