Comma
Name ONE of the times you should use a comma
To separate elements, related dependent and independent clauses, independent clauses joined by conjunctions.
Name ONE situation when should you use a semicolon
For use between independent clauses when there is not a coordinating conjunction used and their relationship is clear. Or, in a list when the items themselves contain commas or are complete sentences
A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are connected improperly.
What is a sentence fragment? What is it missing?
A sentence fragment is a sentence that is missing either its subject or its main verb.
Correctly place the comma if applicable
Respondents were given 5 minutes but none completed the survey.
Respondents were given 5 minutes, but none completed the survey.
Correctly place a semicolon if applicable
In film, a low-angle shot makes the subject low powerful a high-angle shot does just the opposite.
In film, a low-angle shot makes the subject low powerful; a high-angle shot does just the opposite.
What is a comma splice?
A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined with just a comma.
Correct this fragment:
Went to the movies.
Add a subject:
I, You, She, He, They, etc.
example: I went to the movies.
Correctly place a comma if applicable
Buried under layers of younger rocks the earth's oldest rocks contain no fossils.
Buried under layers of younger rocks, the earth's oldest rocks contain no fossils.
Correctly place the semicolon if applicable
Many corals grow very gradually in fact, the creation of a coral reef can take centuries.
Many corals grow very gradually; in fact, the creation of a coral reef can take centuries.
Correct the following sentence:
I hate gardening, it always gives me allergies.
I hate gardening because it always gives me allergies.
OR
I hate gardening. It always gives me allergies.
Is this a sentence fragment?
Because I was running late to work and didn't have time to drink my usual three cups of coffee.
Yes!
Bonus: How can it be rewritten?
Correctly place the comma if applicable
The plane took off and we were on our way.
The plane took off and we were on our way.
Correctly place/replace the semicolons if applicable
Classic sci-fi sagas include Star Trek with Captain Kirk, Dr. McCoy, and Spock, Battlestar Galactica, with its Cylons, and Star Wars, with Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader.
Classic sci-fi sagas include Star Trek with Captain Kirk, Dr. McCoy, and Spock; Battlestar Galactica, with its Cylons; and Star Wars, with Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader.
Correct the following sentence by adding a subordinating conjunction:
I went to the pharmacy to get a COVID testing kit, they told me that the kit was out of stock.
I went to the pharmacy to get a COVID testing kit, only to find that the kit was out of stock.
When I arrived at the pharmacy to get a COVID testing kit, they told me it was out of stock.
Correct the following sentence:
Coach Torres exemplified this behavior by walking off the field in the middle of a game. Leaving her team at a time when we needed her.
Coach Dietz exemplified this behavior by walking off the field in the middle of a game, leaving her team at a time when we needed her.
Correctly place the comma if applicable
Selections from the book Democracy and Education were read aloud in class.
Selections from the book Democracy and Education were read aloud in class.
(Restrictive Appositive)
Correctly place the semicolon if applicable
The media likes to portray my generation as lazy although polls show that we work as hard as the twentysomethings before us.
The media likes to portray my generation as lazy, although polls show that we work as hard as the twentysomethings before us.
Correct the following sentence.
Opposition parties are opposing the government even on the issue of national security, where we must stand united, a house divided cannot stand.
Opposition parties are opposing the government even on the issue of national security, where we must stand united. A house divided cannot stand.
(Should be split into 2 sentences)
Correct the fragment. Give 2 possible alternatives:
For doing freelance work for a competitor got Phil fired.
Possible Revisions: