Comma Splice or Fused Sentence???

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) movies, his B) soda, which C) thighs, saving Everyone always invites Marc to the movies, his jeans are so oversized that he can sneak in two two-liter bottles of soda, which he straps to his thighs, saving his friends from the outrageous drink prices at the theater.

A Everyone always invites Marc to the movies is a main clause. His jeans are so oversized is another main clause. To connect two main clauses with a comma is to create a comma splice, a major sentence error. A period after movies and a capital H for his would take care of the problem.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) cook, he B) dinner; yesterday, C) example, he Todd is an amazing cook, he can look into a nearly empty refrigerator and put together an interesting dinner; yesterday, for example, he made a sliced pickle and mayonnaise sandwich, using an old blueberry muffin as bread.

A The comma between cook and he creates a comma splice. At this spot, there are two main clauses joined with a comma alone, making a major error. Todd is an amazing cook is the first main clause. He can look into a nearly empty refrigerator ... begins the next main clause. To fix this problem, you could put a period after cook and capitalize the H for he.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) it, the B) clown who C) her as If you offer Valerie a piece of watermelon, she will refuse it, the slices look like the wicked smile of a circus clown who once scared her as a child during a trip to the big top.

A The comma between it and the is illegally connecting two main clauses. She will refuse it is the first main clause. The slices look like the wicked smile ... begins the second main clause. Main clauses can stand alone as complete sentences, so they require a stronger break between them than a wimpy comma. To fix this problem, you could put a period after it and capitalize the T for the.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) it, Antonio B) handwriting because C) it, Antonio Although you might not believe it, Antonio actually benefits from his chicken scratch handwriting because no one can read it, Antonio doesn't have to worry about using the right word or the correct spelling.

B Antonio actually benefits from his chicken scratch handwriting is a complete sentence. Because no one can read it, Antonio doesn't have to worry ... is a second complete sentence. Because only blank space exists between handwriting and because, a fused sentence results. To fix this problem, you could put a period after handwriting and capitalize the B in because.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) burglars, but B) dogs as C) result, Derek Derek wanted a ferocious pit bull terrier to scare off burglars, but his apartment complex did not allow dogs as a result, Derek had to settle for naming his goldfish Mr. Jaws and installing additional door locks.

B His apartment complex did not allow dogs is a main clause. As a result, Derek had to settle for naming his goldfish Mr. Jaws ... is a second main clause. Because these two clauses run right into each other with no break, they create a fused sentence. A semicolon would go nicely in the empty space between dogs and as.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) phone, hoping B) job, every C) though, was After a successful interview at a bookstore, Julio patiently waited by the phone, hoping to hear that he had gotten a summer job, every call, though, was a twelve-year-old boy calling for Rosita, Julio's younger sister.

B Julio patiently waited by the phone is a main clause. Every call was a twelve-year-old boy is a second main clause. These two main clauses have only a comma separating them, which is illegal in writing. The best way to fix this sentence would be to put a period after job and capitalize the E for every.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) States, she B) cooking, however, C) care if When Minori left Japan to study in the United States, she thought that she would miss her mother's delicious home cooking, however, after her first taste of a bacon cheeseburger, she didn't care if she ever returned to Japan.

B She thought ... begins a complete sentence. She didn't care ... starts another complete sentence. Notice that these two sentences have no punctuation stronger than a comma connecting them, thus creating a comma splice, a major sentence error. To fix the problem, you could put a semicolon after cooking. A semicolon is a strong enough mark of punctuation to connect two complete sentences.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) paper, Sima B) pencil at C) basketball becuase Struggling to capture the nude model on paper, Sima whined that she didn't have the right pencil at the same time, she realized that this complaint was the same as saying that she couldn't sink a basketball because she didn't have expensive athletic shoes.

B Sima whined that she didn't have the right pencil is a main clause. At the same time, she realized ... is the beginning of the next main clause. These two parts are joined with no punctuation, causing a fused sentence. A period after pencil and a capital A for at would take care of the problem.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) season, Melville B) peaches, the C) think that During the summer when a variety of fruit is in season, Melville always avoids the fresh peaches, the fuzzy skin brushing against his lips makes Melville think that he's eating a small rodent.

B The comma between peaches and the creates a comma splice. Melville always avoids the fresh peaches is one complete sentence. The fuzzy skin brushing against his lips makes Melville think ... begins a second complete sentence. To fix this problem, you could put a period after peaches and capitalize the T for the.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) lecture, but B) seat, Latoya C) pencil if Latoya tried to concentrate on Dr. Lemon's dull art history lecture, but the darkened classroom and endless slide show soon had her dozing in her seat, Latoya knew that Beverly would poke her with a pencil if Dr. Lemon bothered to glance their way.

B The comma between seat and Latoya creates a comma splice. At this spot, there are two complete sentences joined with a comma alone, making a major sentence error. The darkened classroom and endless slide show soon had her dozing in her seat is a complete sentence. Latoya knew ... begins the next complete sentence. To fix this problem, you could put a period after seat.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) motorcyke, he B) recklessly, weaving C) care that When Robert is riding his Honda motorcycle, he drives recklessly, weaving dangerously through rush hour traffic, Robert doesn't care that he might leave a kneecap or chunk of thigh speared on a car bumper.

B The problem here is a comma splice; two complete sentences are joined with a comma alone. This is an illegal move in writing. He drives recklessly is one sentence. Weaving dangerously through rush hour traffic, Robert doesn't care ... begins the next sentence. To fix this problem, you could put a period after recklessly and capitalize the W for weaving.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) room, they B) dog, tolerating C) animal seemed When Simone and her husband discovered sixteen jars full of insects in their daughter's room, they decided to get Maria a dog, tolerating one four-legged animal seemed better than having fifty six-legged "pets" in the house.

B They decided to get Maria a dog is a main clause. Tolerating one four-legged animal seemed better than having fifty six-legged "pets" in the house is a second main clause. Connecting these two main clauses with a comma makes a comma splice, a major sentence error. A period after dog and a capital T for tolerating would fix the problem.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) trigonometry, he B) cafeteria needless C) say, he When Javier was supposed to be in trigonometry, he was instead flirting with pretty girls in the cafeteria needless to say, he was inadequately prepared to make the 98 that he needed on the final exam to pass the course.

B He was instead flirting with pretty girls in the cafeteria is the first main clause. Needless to say, an introductory transition, begins the second main clause, he was inadequately prepared .... These two main clauses run together with no break, causing a fused sentence. A period after cafeteria and a capital N for needless would fix the problem nicely.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) class, has B) clothes, for C) reason , she Davina, a good friend from my biology class, has more interest in what is under a guy's skin than what is under his clothes, for this reason, she is pursuing a degree in radiography.

B The comma between clothes and for is making a comma splice. At this spot, there are two complete sentences joined only with a wimpy comma. Davina, a good friend of mine, has more interest ... begins the first complete sentence. For this reason, she is pursuing a degree in radiography is the second complete sentence. To fix this problem, you could put a period after clothes and capitalize the F in for.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) row because B) notes, the C) professor, however, Jackie always made it a point to sit in the front row because she liked to focus on the lecture and take good notes, the excessive spitting of her Latin professor, however, drove her to the back of the room.

B The comma between notes and the creates a comma splice. At this spot, there are two complete sentences joined with a comma alone, making a major sentence error. Jackie always made it a point to sit in the front row ... begins the first complete sentence. The excessive spitting of her Latin professor, however, drove her to the back of the room is the next complete sentence. To fix this problem, you could put a period after notes and capitalize the T for the.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) recommended, Madison B) library but C) homework during As her teachers had recommended, Madison tried to study in the library but discovered that the good music, unlimited soda, and big tables at the campus café made a great place to do homework during fall semester, Madison must have eaten 150 pizza slices while she slogged through Fundamentals of Biology.

C The blank space between homework and during makes a fused sentence. At this spot, there are two complete sentences joined with no punctuation, causing a major error. Madison tried to study in the library ... begins one complete sentence. During fall semester, Madison must have eaten 150 pizza slices ... begins the next complete sentence. To fix this problem, you could put a period after homework and capitalize the D for during.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) flu, Howard B) soup, but C) milk, cream Sick with the flu, Howard craved a big hot bowl of his grandmother's chicken soup, but in the refrigerator, Howard had only a jar of olives and a carton of milk, cream of olive soup, Howard decided, would only worsen how he felt.

C The comma between milk and cream causes a comma splice. This is a major error. Howard had only a jar of olives and a carton of milk is a complete sentence. Cream of olive soup, Howard decided, would only worsen how he felt is a second complete sentence. A comma is too wimpy a punctuation mark to connect two sentences. To fix this problem, you could put a period after milk and capitalize the C for cream.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) gift, Kris B) computer or C) sister, finally Given 1,000 dollars as a graduation gift, Kris wavered between putting the money toward a new computer or going to Germany to visit his sister, finally Fräuleins and beer won out over modems and megabytes.

C The comma between sister and finally illegally joins two main clauses. The first main clause begins with Kris wavered ... . The second main clause is finally Fräuleins and beer won out over modems and megabytes. To join two main clauses with a comma is to create a comma splice, a major error in sentence structure. To fix the problem, you could use a semicolon between sister and finally. Then add a comma after finally.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) evening, Clarencce B) $49.99, so C) them, in Watching the Home Shopping Network late one evening, Clarence saw handheld televisions advertised for only $49.99, so he bought ten of them, in his lifetime, Clarence was certain that he would need them all.

C The comma between them and in creates a comma splice. At this spot, there are two main clauses joined with a comma alone, making a major error. He bought ten of them is the first main clause. In his lifetime, Clarence was certain is the next main clause. To fix this problem, you could put a period after them and capitalize the I for in.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) hair, but B) children who C) salon, Thinh With sharp scissors, Thinh tried to even her client's hair, but the woman kept twisting in her seat to yell at her two small children who were terrorizing the salon, Thinh finally decided that crooked ends were better than poking out a client's eye.

C The woman kept twisting in her seat to yell at her two small children ... is a main clause. Thinh finally decided ... is the second main clause. Joining these two is a comma alone, which creates a comma splice, a major error in sentence structure. If you put a period after salon instead of the comma, you would fix the problem.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) ambulance,startling B) Robert, who C) paper, unfotunatley, The computer began to wail like an ambulance, startling poor Robert, who only wanted to retrieve his paper, unfortunately, a virus had immobilized the hard drive.

C The computer began to wail like an ambulance is a main clause. A virus had immobilized the hard drive is another main clause. These two main clauses have been joined with only a comma, thus creating a comma splice, a major error in sentence structure. To fix the sentence above, you could use a semicolon between paper and unfortunately.

Michelle is terrified of spiders, so when she found one in the bathroom, she panicked, refusing to shower for three days to use the restroom, she drove to her neighborhood gas station.

Fused Sentence The problem occurs between days and to. She panicked, refusing to shower for three days is a complete sentence. To use the restroom, she drove to her neighborhood gas station is the next complete sentence. Because these two parts have only blank space between them, they make a fused sentence, a major error. To fix the problem, you could put a period after days and then capitalize the T for to.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) court, she B) head, the C) charge, in When Millie overheard Coach Jones complain that women didn't belong on a basketball court, she became so angry that she picked up a tennis racket and whacked him over the head, the assault and battery charge, in Millie's opinion, was worth it.

C She became so angry is a main clause. The assault and battery charge was worth it is a second main clause. These two main clauses have only a comma connecting them, causing a comma splice, a major sentence error. To fix the problem, you could put a period after head and capitalize the T for the.

Rachel painstakingly ironed her linen shirt all the while, she was thinking how pointless this chore was since linen begins to wrinkle the moment after the last button is fastened.

Fused Sentence The problem occurs between shirt and all. Rachel painstakingly ironed her linen shirt is a main clause, so it can stand alone as a complete sentence. All the while, she was thinking ... begins the next complete sentence. Because these two parts have only blank space between them, they make a fused sentence, a major error. To fix the problem, you could put a period after shirt and then capitalize the A for all.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) sofa, William B) classmates, who C) exam, poor Since he was sound asleep on the library sofa, William was oblivious to his twenty-eight algebra classmates, who were sweating, sighing, and wracking their brains as they tried to ace their final exam, poor William was quietly earning a zero.

C The comma between exam and poor causes a comma splice. At this spot, there are two complete sentences joined with a comma alone. William was oblivious ... begins the first complete sentence. Poor William was quietly earning a zero is the next complete sentence. To fix this problem, you could put a period after exam and capitalize the P that begins poor.

Julie is a real hypochondriac when her stomach hurts, she is certain that she has a bleeding ulcer, and if she has a backache, she believes that she has cancer of the spine.

Fused Sentence The problem occurs between hypochondriac and when. Julie is a real hypochondriac is a main clause, so it can stand alone as a complete sentence. When her stomach hurts, she is certain ... begins the next complete sentence. Because these two parts have only blank space between them, they make a fused sentence, a major sentence error. To fix the problem, you could put a period after hypochondriac and then capitalize the W in when.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) toes, he B) goes at C) house, you Because Simon thinks that he has big, ugly toes, he insists on wearing socks everywhere that he goes at the beach, in the shower, or around the house, you will find Simon with socks on his feet.

B The blank space between goes and at causes a fused sentence. At this spot, there are two complete sentences joined with no punctuation, which makes a major error. He insists on wearing socks everywhere that he goes is a complete sentence. At the beach, in the shower, or around the house, you will find ... begins the next complete sentence. To fix this problem, you could put a period after goes and capitalize the A for at.

Josie, Don's Cairn terrier, will bark at anything that moves, squirrels, wind blown leaves, passing cars, and her own shadow will start her yapping.

Comma Splice The problem occurs between moves and squirrels. Josie, Don's Cairn terrier, will bark at anything is a complete sentence. Wind blown leaves, passing cars, and her own shadow will start her yapping is another complete sentence. Because these two parts have just a comma between them, they create a comma splice, a major sentence error. To fix the problem, you could put a semicolon between moves and squirrels.

Because his glasses were so thick, Quincy refused to get contacts, he worried that equally thick contact lenses would make him look like a bug-eyed space alien.

Comma Splice The problem occurs between contacts and he. Because his glasses were so thick, Quincy refused to get contacts is a complete sentence. He worried ... starts the next complete sentence. Because these two parts have just a comma between them, they create a comma splice, a major sentence error. To fix the problem, you could put a period after contacts and then capitalize the H for he.

Madison believed that the best job in the universe would be to work as a crew member on the star ship Enterprise since this job existed only on television, Madison settled for clerking at a neighborhood comic book store that sold Star Trek memorabilia.

Fused Sentence The problem occurs between Enterprise and since. Madison believed that the best job in the universe would be to work as a crew member on the star ship Enterprise is a complete sentence. Since this job existed only on television, Madison settled ... begins the next complete sentence. Because these two parts have only blank space between them, they make a fused sentence, a major sentence error. To fix the problem, you could put a period after Enterprise and then capitalize the S for since.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) day all B) while, Buster, C) bed so Sylvia carefully ironed her one good suit to wear to the bank interview the next day all the while, Buster, her hairy white cat, waited for her to lay the dark gray skirt on the bed so that he would have a warm spot to nap.

A Sylvia carefully ironed her one good suit ... is a main clause. Another main clause is all the while, Buster waited for her to lay the dark gray skirt on the bed. These two main clauses can each stand alone as complete sentences, so they require an appropriate break between them. A period after day and a capital A for all would fix the problem nicely.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) difficult, students B) vultures, waiting C) space, and During the fall semester, parking on campus is very difficult, students circle the lots like vultures, waiting for an empty space, and most students soon realize that taking a 7 a.m. class, despite the effort it takes to get up that early, at least cures their parking woes.

A The comma between difficult and students creates a comma splice. At this spot, there are two main clauses joined with a comma alone, making a major sentence error. Parking on campus is very difficult is one main clause. Students circle the lots like vultures ... begins the next main clause. To fix this problem, you could put a period after difficult and capitalize the S that begins students.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) peach, because B) smile, she C) want to Jean always nibbles around the pit of a cherry, just as though she were eating a peach, because she is vain about her smile, she doesn't want to chip a tooth on the hard center.

A The comma between peach and because causes a comma splice. At this spot, there are two complete sentences joined with just a comma, which is too wimpy a punctuation mark to do the job. Jean always nibbles around the pit ... begins the first complete sentence. Because she is vain about her smile, she doesn't want ... starts the next complete sentence. To fix this problem, you could put a period after peach and capitalize the B for because.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) school, Cheryl B) raft, and C) novel, Then Hoping to relax after a busy week at work and school, Cheryl smoothed on some sunscreen, settled onto her pool raft, and opened her new Stephen King novel, then her neighbor cranked up the lawnmower, ruining the quiet.

C The comma between novel and then is joining two main clauses. This construction, called a comma splice, is illegal in writing. To fix the problem, you could put a period after novel and then capitalize the T for then.

Orange juice, toast, and cereal might be a healthy breakfast, but Ricardo always hits the snooze button on his alarm too many times all he can grab is a stale pastry and soda.

Fused Sentence The problem occurs between times and all. Ricardo always hits the snooze button on his alarm too many times is a main clause, so it can stand alone as a complete sentence. All he can grab is a stale pastry and soda is the next complete sentence. Because these two parts have only blank space between them, they make a fused sentence, a major error. To fix the problem, you could put a period after times and then capitalize the A for all.

In preparation for the quiz, La'Mia studied comma splices and fused sentences until she thought her brain would burst, finally, she put away her notes, convinced that she would remember the rules even on her death bed.

The problem occurs between burst and finally. La'Mia studied comma splices and fused sentences ... begins a complete sentence. Finally, she put away her notes ... starts the next complete sentence. Because these two parts have just a comma between them, they create a comma splice, a major sentence error. To fix the problem, you could put a period after burst and then capitalize the F for finally.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) blades once B) skin, however, C) mind, opting Chet decided to get a huge Chinese dragon tattooed across his shoulder blades once the stabbing needle pierced his skin, however, Chet quickly changed his mind, opting to pierce an ear instead.

A Chet decided to get a huge Chinese dragon tattooed across his shoulder blades is the first main clause. Once the stabbing needle pierced his skin, however, Chet quickly changed his mind ... introduces the second complete sentence. The spot where these two sentences meet is blank space, making a fused sentence. To fix the problem, you could put a period after blades and capitalize the O for once.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) hallway, June, B) cat, had C) butter and Jenny noticed a greasy snail-like trail that snaked from the kitchen counter, onto the floor, and then over to the hallway, June, Jenny's cat, had stolen another stick of butter and tried to drag it to the laundry room.

A Jenny noticed a greasy snail-like trail is a main clause. June, Jenny's cat, had stolen another stick of butter is the second main clause. Two main clauses cannot have a comma alone connecting them. If you change the comma after hallway to a semicolon, you will correct the problem.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) agree to B) James, he C) meal, tip Julina would never again agree to go out to dinner with James, he expected her to buy her own meal, tip the waitress, and chip in for gas.

B Julina would never again agree to go out to dinner with James is a main clause. He expected her ... begins a second main clause. To connect two main clauses with just a comma is to commit a major sentence error, a comma splice. If you were to use the comma with for, a coordinating conjunction, you would fix the problem.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) hours, Charlie B) paper when C) crash, Charlie Hunched over the keyboard for hours, Charlie used two fingers to hunt and peck out the 2,000-word research paper when lightning caused his computer to crash, Charlie wept more tears than the thunderclouds spilled rain.

B Charlie used two fingers to hunt and peck out the 2,000-word research paper is a main clause. When lightning caused his computer to crash is a subordinate clause that begins a second main clause, Charlie wept .... Leaving the words paper and when smashed together creates a fused sentence. To fix this error, you could put a period after paper and capitalize the W of when.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) bag, old B) handouts, math C) Algebra, leaky Syed finally decided to clean out his disorganized book bag, old US Government handouts, math notes from Intermediate Algebra, leaky ballpoint pens, and a smashed banana littered the inside.

A Syed finally decided to clean out his disorganized book bag is a main clause. Old US Government handouts ... littered the inside is a second main clause. To connect these with just a comma is to create a comma splice, a major sentence error. To fix the problem, you could put a period after bag and capitalize the O for old.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) times on B) days, people C) chimes as To gain attention, Christie has pierced each of her ears eight times on breezy days, people hear the tinkling sounds of Christie's unique wind chimes as the jewelry blows in the wind.

A The blank space between times and on causes a fused sentence. At this spot, there are two complete sentences joined with no punctuation, which makes a major error. Christie has pierced each of her ears eight times is the first main clause. On breezy days, people hear ... begins the next main clause. To fix this problem, you could put a period after times and capitalize the O for on.

When Jim threw his back out while helping his wife Nancy move the sofa, he feared the treatment the doctor would recommend, a week's worth of bed rest during the nicest week in April would certainly wreck Jim's golf plans.

Comma Splice The problem occurs between recommend and a. He feared the treatment the doctor would recommend is a complete sentence. A week's worth of bed rest during the nicest week in April would certainly wreck Jim's golf plans is the next complete sentence. Because these two parts have just a comma between them, they create a comma splice, a major sentence error. To fix the problem, you could put a period after recommend and then capitalize the A.

Clarence couldn't believe that the hardware store was selling garden rakes for only $1.99 each when he brought home twenty of them, his wife Marie just shook her head and squeezed them into a garage stuffed full of her husband's other "good buys."

Fused Sentence The problem occurs between each and when. Clarence couldn't believe ... begins a complete sentence. When he brought home twenty of them, his wife Marie just shook her head ... starts the next complete sentence. Because these two parts have only blank space between them, they make a fused sentence, a major sentence error. To fix the problem, you could put a period after each and then capitalize the W for when.

Clyde knew that he should be saving money for next semester's tuition he spent every paycheck, however, on gold jewelry and expensive dinners for his greedy girlfriend Gloria.

Fused Sentence The problem occurs between tuition and he. Clyde knew that he should be saving money for next semester's tuition is a complete sentence. He spent every paycheck, however, on gold jewelry ... begins the next complete sentence. Because these two parts have only blank space between them, they make a fused sentence, a major error. To fix the problem, you could put a semicolon between tuition and he.

At the back of the classroom, Nina sat with her arms crossed, glaring at her teacher, Mr. Beane, her body language indicated that English was her least favorite subject.

Comma Splice The problem occurs between Beane and her. Nina sat with her arms crossed ... begins a complete sentence. Her body language indicated ... starts the next complete sentence. Because these two parts have just a comma between them, they create a comma splice, a major sentence error. To fix the problem, you could put a period after Beane and then capitalize the H for her.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) class the B) is that C) behind when Jacques, a self-taught computer whiz, always hates going to his Introduction to Microcomputers class the reason is that both his textbook and professor are at least a year behind when they discuss software and internal components.

A The blank space between class and the causes a fused sentence. At this spot, there are two complete sentences joined with no punctuation, which makes a major sentence error. Jacques always hates going to his Introduction to Microcomputers class is a complete sentence. The reason is that ... begins the next complete sentence. To fix this problem, you could put a period after class and capitalize the T for the.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) ex- boyfriends, Sylvia B) wallets, she C) earrings to Sparkling with jewelry conned from ex-boyfriends, Sylvia keeps an eye out for new victims with fat wallets, she still needs a pair of diamond earrings to complement a necklace that she managed to coerce Ricardo into buying.

B The comma between wallets and she causes a comma splice. At this spot, there are two complete sentences joined with just a comma. Such a construction is a major writing error. Sylvia keeps an eye out for new victims with fat wallets is one complete sentence. She still needs a pair of diamond earrings ... begins the next complete sentence. To fix this problem, you could put a period after wallets and capitalize the S for she.

Mike loves to play computer games, especially Tomb Raider, he imagines that all of the villains are his problems, and he gets great satisfaction blasting them to bits.

Comma Splice The problem occurs between Raider and he. Mike loves to play computer games, especially Tomb Raider is a complete sentence. He imagines ... begins the next complete sentence. Because these two parts have a comma alone between them, they create a comma splice, a major sentence error. To fix the problem, you could put a period after Raider and then capitalize the H for he.

Sima was so sleepy after her marathon studying session for calculus that she ordered a triple espresso before going to class once the caffeine kicked in, Sima knew that she wouldn't doze off on Dr. Ribley.

Fused Sentence The problem occurs between class and once. Sima was so sleepy ... begins a complete sentence. Once the caffeine kicked in, Sima knew ... introduces the next complete sentence. Because these two parts have only blank space between them, they make a fused sentence, a major error. To fix the problem, you could put a period after class and then capitalize the O for once.

When Matt shaved his head, his mother worried that he had joined a cult the real reason for the bald head, however, was that Matt could get more attention and sympathy from girls who thought he was sick with a dread disease.

Fused Sentence The problem occurs between cult and the. His mother worried that he had joined a cult is a complete sentence. The real reason for the bald head ... begins the next complete sentence. Because these two parts have only blank space between them, they make a fused sentence, a major sentence error. To fix the problem, you could put a period after cult and then capitalize the T for the.

At the campus coffee cart, Gini makes the best drinks her sweet cream latte, a blend of vanilla ice cream and espresso, will put on the pounds, but its cool, smooth taste is worth a trip to the gym.

Fused Sentence The problem occurs between drinks and her. Gini makes the best drinks is a main clause, so it can stand alone as a complete sentence. Her sweet cream latte, a blend of vanilla ice cream and espresso, will put on the pounds ... begins the next complete sentence. Because these two parts have only blank space between them, they make a fused sentence, a major sentence error. To fix the problem, you could put a period after drinks and then capitalize the H for her.

Cindy's mumbling often gets her in trouble just the other day, in fact, her stylist misunderstood Cindy's instructions and dyed her hair blue after Cindy asked him to trim the ends.

Fused Sentence The problem occurs between trouble and just. Cindy's mumbling often gets her in trouble is a main clause, so it can stand alone as a complete sentence. Just the other day, in fact, her stylist misunderstood ... begins the next complete sentence. Because these two parts have only blank space between them, they make a fused sentence, a major sentence error. To fix the problem, you could put a period after trouble and then capitalize the J for just.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) caffeine even B) test, his C) 8:05, and If Chris hopes to survive in his 8 a.m. English class, he needs to discover caffeine even when he has a test, his head hits the desk by 8:05, and snores soon escape his mouth.

A The blank space between caffeine and even makes a fused sentence. At this spot, there are two complete sentences joined with no punctuation, causing a major error. He needs to discover caffeine is the main clause of the first sentence. When he has a test, his head hits the desk ... begins the next complete sentence. To fix this problem, you could put a period after caffeine and capitalize the E that begins even.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) class, although B) lecturer, the C) center, and Belinda hates her psychology class, although her professor is an interesting lecturer, the auditorium is right next to the copy center, and the whump, whump, whump of the machines always makes Belinda drowsy.

A The comma between class and although creates a comma splice. At this spot, there are two complete sentences joined with a comma alone, making a major sentence error. Belinda hates her psychology class is the first complete sentence. Although her professor is an interesting lecturer, the auditorium is ... begins the next complete sentence. To fix this problem, you could put a period after class and capitalize the A for although.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) dollars then, B) pink, they C) dollars to At a garage sale, Clarence bought four gallons of exterior latex for only ten dollars then, when his neighbors saw the nuclear pink, they collected 120 dollars to buy four gallons of primer and four gallons of forest green paint.

A Clarence bought four gallons of exterior latex for only ten dollars is a main clause. It can stand alone as a complete sentence. Then is a transitional word that is introducing the second complete sentence. Because these two parts run together with no punctuation, they are making a fused sentence, a major error in sentence structure. A period after dollars and a capital T for then would fix the problem.

Read the sentence below. With your mouse, choose the underlined part where a comma splice or fused sentence occurs. A) chili, Amy B) spoonful, the C) beans, however, After listening for weeks to her boyfriend Steve bragging about his mother's chili, Amy anticipated the first delicious spoonful, the hair floating among the beef and beans, however, killed her appetite.

B Amy anticipated the first delicious spoonful is the first main clause. The hair floating among the beef and beans killed her appetite is the second main clause. Connecting these two clauses with a comma creates a comma splice, a major error. To fix the problem, you could put the word but before the; a comma with a coordinating conjunction can legally connect two main clauses. Then delete however since it means the same thing as but.

Jeremiah likes to put peanut butter on his pancakes instead of syrup, the smell is appealing, but I wouldn't want to eat anything so sticky that early in the morning.

Comma Splice The problem occurs between syrup and the. Jeremiah likes to put peanut butter on his pancakes instead of syrup is a complete sentence. The smell is appealing is the next complete sentence. Because these two parts have just a comma between them, they create a comma splice, a major sentence error. To fix the problem, you could put a period after syrup and then capitalize the T for the.

During English class, Anthony kept flirting with RaShaunda because his behavior was keeping Shenicka from understanding the lecture, Shenicka whacked him over the head with her heavy dictionary.

Fused Sentence The problem occurs between RaShaunda and because. Anthony kept flirting with RaShaunda is a main clause, so it can stand alone as a complete sentence. Because his behavior was keeping Shenicka from understanding the lecture, Shenicka whacked him ... begins the next complete sentence. Since these two parts have only blank space between them, they make a fused sentence, a major sentence error. To fix the problem, you could put a period after RaShaunda and then capitalize the B for because.

My cat Buster loves to nap on warm appliances when he sleeps on top of the television, his tail swipes the screen like a windshield wiper.

Fused Sentence The problem occurs between appliances and when. My cat Buster loves to nap on warm appliances is a main clause, so it can stand alone as a complete sentence. When he sleeps on top of the television, his tail swipes the screen ... begins the next complete sentence. Because these two parts have only blank space between them, they make a fused sentence, a major sentence error. To fix the problem, you could put a period after appliances and then capitalize the W for when.