sentence structure fixing common sentence errors

Read the following group of words: 'After we finished the huge pizza.' Which of the following correctly identifies this group of words?

• A complete sentence

• A sentence fragment

• A run-on sentence

• A comma splice

Answer explanation

This is a sentence fragment because it is a dependent clause that cannot stand on its own; it is missing a main clause to complete the thought.

Which of the following options best corrects the run-on sentence: 'My favorite season is fall the leaves change colors.'?

• My favorite season is fall, the leaves change colors.

• My favorite season is fall the leaves, change colors.

• My favorite season is fall; the leaves change colors.

• My favorite season is fall, and the leaves change colors so.

Answer explanation

This is the best correction because a semicolon can correctly join two closely related independent clauses. A comma alone creates a comma splice, and the other options are grammatically incorrect.

To fix the fragment 'After the game.', you must combine it with a main clause. Complete the following sentence to demonstrate this: _____ we all went out for ice cream.

• After the game, and

• After the game then

• After the game.

• After the game,

Answer explanation

An introductory dependent clause, like 'After the game', must be followed by a comma when it is joined to a main clause. The other options create awkward or incorrect sentences.

Read the paragraph below. Which numbered sentence is a run-on sentence?

(1) Our group is doing a project on ancient Egypt. (2) We have to build a model of a pyramid it has to be painted gold. (3) Sam is bringing the cardboard, and I am bringing the paint. (4) It's due next Friday.

• Sentence (1)

• Sentence (2)

• Sentence (3)

• Sentence (4)

Answer explanation

Sentence (2) is a run-on because it combines two complete sentences ('We have to build a model of a pyramid' and 'it has to be painted gold') without proper punctuation or a conjunction.

True or False: The sentence 'Ran to the store for milk.' is a fragment because it is missing a subject.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

This statement is true. A complete sentence requires a subject (who or what is doing the action) and a verb. This sentence has a verb ('Ran') but no subject.

The sentence 'The concert was amazing we stayed for the encore' is a run-on. Complete the second sentence to correctly fix this error: 'The concert was amazing. _____ stayed for the encore.'

• we

• We

• And we

• So we

Answer explanation

To fix a run-on sentence by creating two separate sentences, you must end the first with a period and begin the second with a capital letter. 'We' correctly starts the new sentence.

Which of the following sentences is a comma splice?

• He loves to read, but his sister prefers movies.

• He loves to read; his sister prefers movies.

• He loves to read, his sister prefers movies.

• Because he loves to read, his sister buys him books.

Answer explanation

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined only by a comma. 'He loves to read' and 'his sister prefers movies' are both complete sentences and cannot be joined with just a comma.

Which sentence uses a comma incorrectly to join two complete thoughts?

• The sun was setting, so we started a campfire.

• The sun was setting, we started a campfire.

• The sun was setting. We started a campfire.

• As the sun was setting, we started a campfire.

Answer explanation

This sentence is a comma splice because it incorrectly uses only a comma to connect two independent clauses. A coordinating conjunction (like 'so') or different punctuation is needed.

To fix the comma splice 'The park was crowded, we found a quiet spot,' you can replace the comma with a _____.

• colon

• second comma

• period

• question mark

Answer explanation

One way to correct a comma splice is to separate the two independent clauses into two distinct sentences. This is done by replacing the comma with a period and capitalizing the next word.

Correct the comma splice by adding a coordinating conjunction: 'She is very smart, _____ she always gets good grades.'

• so

• which

• because

• that

Answer explanation

A comma splice can be fixed by adding a coordinating conjunction (like for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) after the comma. 'So' shows the cause-and-effect relationship between the two clauses.