ENG 111: Grammar Set #1 - Run-ons and Comma Splices

Correct the sentence: The British Parliament passed several measures unjust to the American colonists Washington became active in the resistance movement. A. After the British Parliament passed several measures unjust to the American colonists, Washington became active in the resistance movement. B. The British Parliament passed several measures unjust to the American colonists, Washington became active in the resistance movement. C. No change

A - The clause beginning The British Parliament is made subordinate with the subordinating conjunction after.

Correct the sentence: Washington held the first presidential barbecue in 1793, he roasted a five-hundred-pound ox for the party. A. When Washington held the first presidential barbecue in 1793, he roasted a five-hundred-pound ox for the party. B. Washington held the first presidential barbecue in 1793 he roasted a five-hundred-pound ox for the party. C. No change

A - The clause beginning Washington held is made subordinate with the subordinating conjunction when.

Correct the sentence: Washington wanted to return to Mount Vernon after the Constitutional Convention, his colleagues persuaded him to become the country's first president. A. Washington wanted to return to Mount Vernon after the Constitutional Convention, but his colleagues persuaded him to become the country's first president. B. Washington wanted to return to Mount Vernon after the Constitutional Convention his colleagues persuaded him to become the country's first president. C. No change

A - The independent clauses are separated by a comma and a coordinating conjunction.

Correct the sentence: At fifteen, Washington became a surveyor his first job was to survey the six-million-acre estate of his neighbor Lord Fairfax. A. At fifteen, Washington became a surveyor; his first job was to survey the six-million-acre estate of his neighbor Lord Fairfax. B. At fifteen, Washington became a surveyor, his first job was to survey the six-million-acre estate of his neighbor Lord Fairfax. C. No change

A - The two independent clauses are separated by a semicolon.

Correct the sentence: The New York Renaissance became a legendary team, it won 2,318 of the 2,699 games it played. A. The New York Renaissance became a legendary team because it won 2,318 of the 2,699 games it ever played. B. The New York Renaissance became a legendary team it won 2,318 of the 2,699 games it ever played. C. The New York Renaissance became a legendary team, because it won 2,318 of the 2,699 games it ever played. D. No change

A - This version corrects the comma splice by turning the second complete idea into a dependent clause by adding the subordinating conjunction because.

Correct the sentence: The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s saw the development of many African-American artists and writers the achievements of that time were not limited to the arts. A. The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s saw the development of many African-American artists and writers; however, the achievements of that time were not limited to the arts. B. The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s saw the development of many African-American artists and writers, the achievements of that time were not limited to the arts. C. The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s saw the development of many African-American artists and writers however, the achievements of that time were not limited to the arts. D. No change

A - This version corrects the run-on sentence by connecting two complete ideas with a semicolon and the conjunctive adverb however.

Correct the sentence: The team improved its record the players once enjoyed an 88-game winning streak. A. The team improved its record; as a result, the players once enjoyed an 88-game winning streak. B. The team improved its record, the players once enjoyed an 88-game winning streak. C. The team improved its record as a result, the players once enjoyed an 88-game winning streak. D. No change

A - This version corrects the run-on sentence by connecting two complete ideas with a semicolon and the transitional phrase as a result.

Correct the sentence: The New York Renaissance was named after the Harlem ballroom where the team played its games the ballroom's owner would not let the team play there otherwise. A. The New York Renaissance was named after the Harlem ballroom where the team played its games; the ballroom's owner would not let the team play there otherwise. B. The New York Renaissance was named after the Harlem ballroom where the team played its games, the ballroom's owner would not let the team play there otherwise. C. The New York Renaissance was named after the Harlem ballroom where the team played its games, in fact the ballroom's owner would not let the team play there otherwise. D. No change

A - This version corrects the run-on sentence by connecting two complete ideas with a semicolon.

Correct the sentence: Washington had a big nose and a pockmarked face, however he was still considered a handsome man. A. Washington had a big nose and a pockmarked face he was still considered a handsome man. B. Washington had a big nose and a pockmarked face; however, he was still considered a handsome man. C. No change

B - The conjunctive adverb however is preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma to separate two independent clauses.

Correct the sentence: Our national capital is named for Washington, many American colleges and towns bear his name. A. Our national capital is named for Washington many American colleges and towns bear his name. B. Our national capital is named for Washington, and many American colleges and towns bear his name. C. No change

B - The two independent clauses are separated by a comma and a coordinating conjunction.

Correct the sentence: Washington lost nearly all his teeth a French dentist made him a set from carved rhinoceros ivory. A. Washington lost nearly all his teeth, a French dentist made him a set from carved rhinoceros ivory. B. Washington lost nearly all his teeth, so a French dentist made him a set from carved rhinoceros ivory. C. No change

B - The two independent clauses are separated by a comma and a coordinating conjunction.

Correct the sentence: Washington's vice president John Adams was sworn in on April 21, 1789, Washington was sworn in as the first president on April 30, 1789. A. Washington's vice president John Adams was sworn in on April 21, 1789 Washington was sworn in as the first president on April 30, 1789. B. Washington's vice president John Adams was sworn in on April 21, 1789. Washington was sworn in as the first president on April 30, 1789. C. No change

B - The two independent clauses are turned into separate sentences, separated by a period.

Correct the sentence: George Washington was born in 1732 in Virginia, he was raised on a farm established by his great-grandfather. A. George Washington was born in 1732 in Virginia he was raised on a farm established by his great-grandfather. B. George Washington was born in 1732 in Virginia, and he was raised on a farm established by his great-grandfather. C. No change

B - The two independent clauses have been separated by a coordinating conjunction.

Correct the sentence: The team's greatest rivals were the original New York Celtics, the Celtics were considered the best basketball team in the world. A. The team's greatest rivals were the original New York Celtics and the Celtics were considered the best basketball team in the world. B. The team's greatest rivals were the original New York Celtics, who were considered the best basketball team in the world. C. The team's greatest rivals were the original New York Celtics; who were considered the best basketball team in the world. D. No change

B - This sentence corrects the comma splice by connecting the second complete idea to the first with the relative pronoun who.

Correct the sentence: The New York Renaissance was an African-American professional basketball team formed in Harlem, the team played its first game in November 1923. A. The New York Renaissance was an African-American professional basketball team formed in Harlem the team played its first game in November 1923. B. The New York Renaissance was an African-American professional basketball team formed in Harlem. The team played its first game in November 1923. C. The New York Renaissance was an African-American professional basketball team formed in Harlem and the team played its first game in November 1923. D. No change

B - This version corrects the comma splice by creating two separate sentences.

Correct the sentence: The "Rens" soon became popular and were playing more than 100 games a season, the players were often turned away by prejudiced hotel owners and slept on the team bus. A. The "Rens" soon became popular and were playing more than 100 games a season the players were often turned away by prejudiced hotel owners and slept on the team bus. B. Although the "Rens" soon became popular and were playing more than 100 games a season, the players were often turned away by prejudiced hotel owners and slept on the team bus. C. The "Rens" soon became popular and were playing more than 100 games a season, however the players were often turned away by prejudiced hotel owners and slept on the team bus. D. No change

B - This version corrects the comma splice by turning the first complete idea into a dependent clause by adding the subordinating conjunction Although.

Correct the sentence: Washington said this about the war for independence: "Our cause is noble; it is the cause of all mankind." A. Washington said this about the war for independence: "Our cause is noble, it is the cause of all mankind." B. Washington said this about the war for independence: "Our cause is noble it is the cause of all mankind." C. No change

C - The sentence is neither a comma splice nor a fused sentence.

Correct the sentence: The team won its first game, its record that year was 15-7. A. The team won its first game its record that year was 15-7. B. The team won its first game; and its record that year was 15-7. C. The team won its first game, and its record that year was 15-7. D. No change

C - This version corrects the comma splice by adding the coordinating conjunction and before the comma to connect two complete ideas.

Correct the sentence: The Renaissance beat the Celtics in 1927, and the "Rens" went on to become the first professional team to win an integrated tournament championship in 1939. A. The Renaissance beat the Celtics in 1927 the "Rens" went on to become the first professional team to win an integrated tournament championship in 1939. B. The Renaissance beat the Celtics in 1927, the "Rens" went on to become the first professional team to win an integrated tournament championship in 1939. C. The Renaissance beat the Celtics in 1927 and the "Rens" went on to become the first professional team to win an integrated tournament championship in 1939. D. No change

D - The sentence correctly connects two complete ideas with a comma and the coordinating conjunction and.

Correct the sentence: Basketball leagues were segregated, but unofficial rivalries developed between black and white professional teams. A. Basketball leagues were segregated but unofficial rivalries developed between black and white professional teams. B. Basketball leagues were segregated, unofficial rivalries developed between black and white professional teams. C. Basketball leagues were segregated; but unofficial rivalries developed between black and white professional teams. D. No change

D - The sentence correctly connects two complete ideas with a comma and the coordinating conjunction but.