Run-Ons, Comma Splices and Symbolism Review

Which of the following is a run-on sentence?

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

• I went to the store and bought some milk.

• I went to the store; I bought some milk.

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

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'I went to the store, I bought some milk.', is a run-on sentence because it improperly connects two independent clauses with just a comma. The other options use correct punctuation or conjunctions.

Identify the sentence with a comma splice.

• She loves reading, she goes to the library every week.

• She loves reading; she goes to the library every week.

• She loves reading and goes to the library every week.

• She loves reading. She goes to the library every week.

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'She loves reading, she goes to the library every week,' contains a comma splice, as it incorrectly joins two independent clauses with just a comma. The other options use correct punctuation.

Which sentence is a run-on sentence?

• The sun set, and the sky turned orange.

• The sun set the sky turned orange.

• The sun set; the sky turned orange.

• The sun set. The sky turned orange.

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'The sun set the sky turned orange.', is a run-on sentence because it improperly connects two independent clauses without punctuation or a conjunction.

Choose the correct way to fix the comma splice: "He was tired, he went to bed early."

• He was tired he went to bed early.

• He was tired; he went to bed early.

• He was tired, and he went to bed early.

• He was tired. He went to bed early.

Answer explanation

The correct way to fix the comma splice is to use a semicolon, as in 'He was tired; he went to bed early.' This separates the two independent clauses properly, unlike the other options.

Which of the following sentences is a run-on?

• The dog barked loudly, it woke up the neighbors.

• The dog barked loudly; it woke up the neighbors.

• The dog barked loudly and woke up the neighbors.

• The dog barked loudly. It woke up the neighbors.

Answer explanation

The sentence 'The dog barked loudly, it woke up the neighbors.' is a run-on because it improperly connects two independent clauses with just a comma. The other options use correct punctuation or conjunctions.

Identify the sentence with a comma splice.

• The rain stopped, the sun came out.

• The rain stopped; the sun came out.

• The rain stopped and the sun came out.

• The rain stopped. The sun came out.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'The rain stopped, the sun came out.' This sentence contains a comma splice, as it incorrectly joins two independent clauses with just a comma. The other options use correct punctuation.

Which sentence is a run-on sentence?

• She finished her homework, then she watched TV.

• She finished her homework; then she watched TV.

• She finished her homework and then watched TV.

• She finished her homework. Then she watched TV.

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'She finished her homework, then she watched TV,' is a run-on sentence because it improperly connects two independent clauses with just a comma. The other options use correct punctuation or conjunctions.

Choose the correct way to fix the comma splice: "The cake was delicious, everyone wanted a second piece."

• The cake was delicious everyone wanted a second piece.

• The cake was delicious; everyone wanted a second piece.

• The cake was delicious, and everyone wanted a second piece.

• The cake was delicious. Everyone wanted a second piece.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'The cake was delicious; everyone wanted a second piece.' This uses a semicolon to properly connect two independent clauses, fixing the comma splice in the original sentence.

Which of the following is a run-on sentence?

• The movie was long, it was also very boring.

• The movie was long; it was also very boring.

• The movie was long and very boring.

• The movie was long. It was also very boring.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'The movie was long, it was also very boring.' This is a run-on sentence because it improperly connects two independent clauses with just a comma, lacking a coordinating conjunction or proper punctuation.

Identify the sentence with a comma splice.

• The flowers are blooming, the garden looks beautiful.

• The flowers are blooming; the garden looks beautiful.

• The flowers are blooming and the garden looks beautiful.

• The flowers are blooming. The garden looks beautiful.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'The flowers are blooming, the garden looks beautiful.' This sentence contains a comma splice, as it incorrectly joins two independent clauses with just a comma.