Show:
COMMA SPLICE
FRAGMENTS
RUN-ON SENTENCES
SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT
100
There was an accident on Route 38 last night, several people got hurt.
There was an accident on Route 38 last night. Several people got hurt.
100
Alex and Marcus are excited about watching the Olympics.
Sentence
100
Judy leads a charmed life she never seems to have a serious accident.
life;she We have two independent clauses here and they must be connected somehow. We can't use the comma by itself without creating a comma splice.
100
Carlos is the only one of those students who __________ lived up to the potential described in the yearbook.
Marcellino always knew his way around the woods this is something he could always depend on.
200
Entrepreneurship is the study of small businesses, college students are embracing it enthusiastically.
Entrepreneurship is the study of small businesses. College students are embracing it enthusiastically.
200
Because she didn't do her homework.
Fragment
200
The airport is about to shut down because of the snow and if the plane doesn't land soon it will have to go on to Boston.
snow, and We have two independent clauses connected with a little conjunction. Because of their complexity, it would be a very good idea to separate them with a comma.
200
The International Club, as well as the Choral Society and the Rowing Club, __________ to submit a new constitution.
needs The subject here is 'The International Club,' which is singular. The modifying phrase that comes after 'as well as' modifies the subject but does not compound it as the word 'and' would do.
300
My father is chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, he also heads the Warrant Commission.
My father is chairman of the committee on Foreign Relations; he also heads the Warrant Commission.
300
When he's finished with that.
Fragment
300
The show begins at 7:30 make sure you're there before 7:15.
7:30. Make Our second sentence is a directive based on what was said in the first sentence. Although the clauses are closely related, they still must be treated as independent clauses. We could connect them with a comma + so, or we can leave them as two separate sentences.
300
One of my best friends _____________ an extra on Seinfeld this week.
is The subject of this sentence is 'one,' which is, of course, singular. Don't let the intervening prepositional phrase (with its plural 'friends') fool you. One of my best friends _____________ an extra on Seinfeld this week.
400
All over the country, people sell products over the Internet, these people are making impressive profits.
All over the country, people sell products over the Internet. These people are making impressive profits.
400
After he cleans his room, Carlos can go to the game.
Sentence
400
This sentence is correct. There is nothing wrong with that sentence as it is written. Remember that length has nothing to do with whether a sentence is a run-on or not.
This sentence is correct. There is nothing wrong with that sentence as it is written. Remember that length has nothing to do with whether a sentence is a run-on or not.
400
Not only the students but also their instructor ________ been called to the principal's office.
has With paired conjunctions such as either ... or and not only ... but also, the subject closer to the verb -- in this case, the singular 'instructor' -- determines whether the verb will be singular or plural.
500
One person had been exporting farm equipment, in fact he exports over 30,000 pieces of machinery a year.
One person had been exporting farm equipment; in fact, he exports over 30,000 pieces of machinery a year.
500
Out of all those students.
Fragment
500
Marcellino always knew his way around the woods this is something he could always depend on.
woods; this These clauses are clearly related; the pronoun 'this' connects the two clauses in meaning. However, they are both independent clauses and need to be connected with a comma + a little conjunction or they should be separated with a semicolon.
500
Most of the milk _____ gone bad. Six gallons of milk _______ still in the refrigerator.
has ---- are 'Most' is not a countable noun here (you can't count 'the milk' in the first sentence), so the verb must be singular. You can count the gallons of milk, though, so the subject in the second sentence is plural.