Grammar: Fragments, Run-ons, and Comma Splices Practice and Quiz

Write a sentence fragment.

"On any given day" "When the cow grazed at pasture" "If the quarterback gets sacked"

Define each of the following types of sentence errors. 1. Fragment 2. Run-on 3. Comma splice

1. Fragment: A fragment is another term for an incomplete sentence; it is a dependent clause or phrase. 2. Run-on: A run-on sentence contains two (2) or more independent clauses, or sentences, but does not contain a coordinating conjunction or appropriate punctuation to separate the sentences. It can be long or short. 3. Comma splice: A comma splice contains two (2) or more independent clauses, or sentences, that are separated by ONLY a comma and NOT with a coordinating conjunction.

The sentence below contains one or more errors. Which answer shows the BEST way to correct the error(s)? Because ladybugs are often seen crawling.

Because ladybugs are often seen crawling, it's hard to remember that they can fly.

Which of the following choices is a sentence fragment?

Bodies dividing into three sections.

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a complete sentence?

It contains at least one dependent clause.

Rewrite the following example to eliminate the sentence error. Jose and Marta volunteered at the local food bank, they now want to organize a canned food drive to increase the bank's food supply.

Jose and Marta volunteered at the local food bank. They now want to organize a canned food drive to increase the bank's food supply. OR Jose and Marta volunteered at the local food bank; they now want to organize a canned food drive to increase the bank's food supply. OR Jose and Marta volunteered at the local food bank, and they now want to organize a canned food drive to increase the bank's food supply.

The sentence below contains one or more errors. Which answer is NOT a way to correct the error(s)? Ladybugs are actually beetles, these insects can be recognized by their reddish color and the black spots on their wings.

Ladybugs (actually beetles) they are reddish in color with black spots on their wings.

The sentence below contains one or more errors. Which answer shows the BEST way to correct the error(s)? Ladybugs are also called lady beetles in Europe they are called ladybird beetles.

Ladybugs are also called lady beetles; in Europe, they are called ladybird beetles.

Which of the following choices is a run-on sentence?

Most beetles can fly some beetles can't.

Write a comma splice.

My dad told me to do the dishes, I didn't listen to him. The basketball coach encouraged her team to do their very best in each game, the team eventually won the conference championship.

The sentence below contains one or more errors. All of the following are acceptable ways of correcting the error(s) EXCEPT: Reese likes watching television specials on insects however Laney likes watching reality shows.

Reese likes watching television specials on insects—however—Laney likes watching reality shows.

__________ are two or more independent clauses written as one sentence without punctuation that separates the two clauses.

Run-on sentences

Read the following sentence. The Goliath beetle—weighing up to 3.5 ounces—is considered the biggest bug according to measures of weight, even though it may come up short in contests of length or width. Which type of sentence error, if any, is the above example?

There is no sentence error.

Which of the following choices is a comma splice?

These mouthparts are called the mandibles, they are jaw-like structures beetles use for crushing food or defending themselves.

Rewrite the following sentence to eliminate the sentence error. When walking in the woods Leah and Hannah stumbled upon a field of wild berries they picked the nonpoisonous berries to use in making berry jam when they returned home.

When walking in the woods, Leah and Hannah stumbled upon a field of wild berries. They picked the nonpoisonous berries to use in making berry jam when they returned home. or When walking in the woods, Leah and Hannah stumbled upon a field of wild berries; they picked the nonpoisonous berries to use in making berry jam when they returned home. or When walking in the woods, Leah and Hannah stumbled upon a field of wild berries, so they picked the nonpoisonous berries to use in making berry jam when they returned home.

Carefully read the following sentences. 1. Ladybugs' markings are attractive to humans they are unattractive to predators. 2. Ladybugs' markings are attractive to humans but unattractive to predators. Sentence 1 contains one or more errors. Which technique is used in sentence 2 to correct the grammatical problems in sentence 1?

adding a conjunction and rearranging phrases

Which type of sentence error, if any, is present in the following sentence? Rhinoceros beetles are easy to handle, they are popular pets in Asia.

comma splice

Read the following sentence. Because of the Goliath beetle. Which type of sentence error, if any, is the above example?

sentence fragment

Which type of sentence error, if any, is present in the following sentence about the rhinoceros beetle? Named for the signature horn on its head.

sentence fragment

What are four techniques that can be used to fix errors in comma splices and run-on sentences?

separating the sentences, adding a conjunction to comma splices, rearranging clauses and rewording sentences, and adding a semicolon between independent clauses in a run-on sentence