- King Lear is one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays it explores the nature of human suffering and kinship.
- plays; it explores the nature of human suffering and kinship.
- plays as it explores the nature of human suffering and kinship.
- plays who explores the nature of human suffering and kinship.
- No change needed.
The original is a run-on sentence. Choice A correctly separates two related independent clauses with a semicolon. Choice B changes the structure by subordinating the second clause, and choice C incorrectly uses the pronoun “who” for the inanimate “play.”
- The scientist published her research the discovery attracted international attention.
- research; the discovery attracted international attention.
- research, the discovery attracted international attention.
- research and the discovery attracted international attention.
- research for the discovery attracted international attention.
Choice A correctly uses a semicolon to connect the second clause, which explains the result of the first clause. Choice B creates a comma splice, choice C incorrectly joins two independent clauses without proper punctuation before “and,” and choice D creates an illogical relationship between the clauses by using “for” incorrectly.
- After the teacher finished explaining the assignment.
- After explaining the assignment to the class.
- The teacher finished explaining the assignment.
- And after the teacher finished explaining the assignment.
- No change needed.
The original sentence is a fragment because it starts with the subordinating word “after” but does not complete the thought. Choice B creates a complete sentence with an independent clause. Choices A and C remain fragments.
- The museum recently expanded its exhibit space visitors can now explore several new collections.
- space. Visitors can now explore several new collections.
- space because visitors can now explore several new collections.
- space, visitors can now explore several new collections.
- space those visitors can now explore several new collections.
The original sentence contains two independent clauses joined incorrectly. Choice A correctly separates them into two complete sentences. Choice C creates a comma splice, and choice D is another run-on sentence.
- Identify the sentence fragment.
- I tripped while running through the crowded airport to catch my flight.
- Sophia was running through the crowded airport to catch her flight.
- I ran through the crowded airport to catch my flight.
- Running through the crowded airport to catch her flight.
Choice D is a sentence fragment because it lacks a subject and does not express a complete thought. Choices A, B, and C are complete sentences because each contains a subject and a complete verb.
- The city renovated the historic theater local residents celebrated its reopening.
- theater while local residents celebrated its reopening.
- theater, local residents celebrated its reopening.
- theater; local residents celebrated its reopening.
- theater because local residents celebrated its reopening.
The original sentence is a run-on because it joins two independent clauses without proper punctuation. Choice C correctly uses a semicolon to separate the related clauses. Choice A creates a confusing time relationship between the ideas, choice B creates a comma splice, and choice D incorrectly suggests that the renovation happened because residents celebrated the reopening.
- The students studying quietly in the library.
- Studying quietly in the library.
- The students were studying quietly in the library.
- While the students studying quietly in the library.
- No changed needed.
The original sentence is a fragment because it lacks a complete verb. Choice B correctly adds the helping verb “were” to create a complete sentence. Choice C is a fragment.
- Identify the complete sentence.
- The company launched a new advertising campaign sales increased within a few weeks.
- The company launched a new advertising campaign, sales increased within a few weeks.
- The company launched a new advertising campaign; sales increased within a few weeks.
- The company launched a new advertising campaign and sales increased within a few weeks.
Choice C correctly uses a semicolon between the related clauses. Choice A is a sentence fragment. Choice B creates a comma splice. Choice D is wrong because a comma is needed.
- Because the roads were covered in ice after the storm.
- The roads were covered in ice after the storm.
- Covered in ice after the storm.
- When the roads were covered in ice after the storm.
- No change needed.
The original sentence is a fragment because it begins with the subordinating word “because” but does not complete the thought. Choice A creates a complete sentence with an independent clause. Choices B and C are sentence fragments.
- The author completed the final ___________________________________________.
- chapter the publisher scheduled the release date.
- chapter, the publisher scheduled the release date.
- chapter, and the publisher scheduled the release date.
- chapter the release was scheduled by the publisher.
Choice C properly uses a comma and coordinating conjunction to connect the clauses. Choice A is a run-on sentence, choice B creates a comma splice, and choice D is a run-on sentence.
- Which sentence is not a run-on sentence?
- The storm moved across the coast many families were forced to evacuate their homes.
- The storm moved across the coast, many families were forced to evacuate their homes.
- The storm moved across the coast and many families were forced to evacuate their homes.
- The storm moved across the coast; many families were forced to evacuate their homes.
Choice D correctly uses a semicolon to separate two closely related independent clauses. Choice A is a run-on because it joins two independent clauses without proper punctuation, Choice B creates a comma splice, and Choice C incorrectly joins two independent clauses without a comma before the coordinating conjunction “and.”
- The musician had years of experience.
- Such as a talented musician with years of experience.
- A talented musician with years of experience.
- While a talented musician with years of experience.
- No change needed.
No change is needed. A, B, and C are sentence fragments.
- Although the concert lasted more than three hours.
- Concert lasted more than three hours.
- During the concert lasting more than three hours.
- The concert lasted more than three hours.
- And the concert lasted more than three hours.
Choice C forms a complete independent clause. Choices A, B, and D are not complete sentences.
- Identify the run-on sentence.
- Maria practiced the violin every evening her performances improved dramatically.
- Maria practiced the violin every evening. Her performances improved dramatically.
- Maria practiced the violin every evening, and her performances improved dramatically.
- Maria practiced the violin every evening, leading her performances to improve dramatically.
Choice A is the run-on sentence because it incorrectly joins two independent clauses without proper punctuation or a conjunction. Choice B correctly separates the clauses with a period, choice C correctly uses a comma and coordinating conjunction, and choice D correctly uses a participial phrase to show the result of Maria’s practice.
- The hikers reached the summit the view exceeded their expectations.
- summit. The view exceeded their expectations.
- summit because the view exceeded their expectations.
- summit, the view exceeded their expectations.
- summit frankly the view exceeded their expectations.
The original sentence combines two independent clauses without proper punctuation. Choice A correctly separates them into two complete sentences. Choice B is a run-on sentence. Choice C creates a comma splice, and choice D is a run on sentence.