Comma Splices and Run-Together Sentences

 

Correct all the comma splices and run-together sentences either by putting a semicolon between the two parts that can each stand as a sentence or by putting a period between them and starting the second sentence with a capital letter. Some of the sentences in this group are correct.

 

1.       I like to study with my friends, this gives me the use of their brains too.

 

2.       I like to hunt alone, since a group of hunters will startle the game too easily.

 

3.       POGO is my favorite comic strip it is full of humor and satire.

 

4.       We made our first stop at the North Rim, there we were able to rent a rustic cabin.

 

5.       You should change the sparkplugs in your car at least every 10,000 miles, otherwise you will waste a good deal of gasoline.

 

6.       You should enter all bibliographic information on your note cards, the point being to avoid having to look up the information a second time.

 

7.       I like to see reruns of old-time comedies, the kinds that depend almost wholly on slapstick for humor.

 

8.       Sentimental comedies bore me, they really have no humor in them at all.

 

9.       The kind of water used in making whisky is very important, it must not have any iron in it at all.

 

10.     I’ll track down Lassie, wherever she may be.

 

11.     The news coverage of the impeachment was excellent, especially that given by CBS.

 

12.     The ten billion neurons in my brain are not working well today, they probably need a little liquid nourishment.

 

13.     Always bet the come line in craps, even when a roller has made a half dozen straight passes.

 

14.     I must rely on my dictionary a great deal, I’m a poor speller.

 

15.     I like reading books on science, particularly ones that discuss cosmology.

 

16.     A large proportion of teenage marriages end in divorce, this is probably due largely to the partners’ immaturity

 

17.      Yoknapatawpha is a fictional county in Mississippi, the scene of most of William Faulkner's great novels and short stories.

 

18.      Yoknapatawpha County is patterned on Lafayette County, where Faulkner lived most of his life.

 

19.      Teaching machines have not turned out to be the educational wonders they were supposed to be, after their novelty wears off students tire of them.

 

20.      Small cars are rather popular, Americans, however, tend to like big cars.

 

21.      The trails of Osgood Park are not safe, the crime rate being very high there after dusk.

 

22.      Every candidate that I have ever voted for lost, therefore I’m going to start voting for the one I want to lose.

 

23.      The big truck jack-knifed, thus blocking southbound traffic for hours.

 

24.      I came into a small inheritance, thus I was able to stay in college.

 

25 .     The big powers continue to build more and more atomic bombs, it seems inevitable that some of them will be used at some time.

 

26.      I surprised my parents by deciding to go to church, it being Easter Sunday.

 

27.      Some people say television is making printed material obsolete, how­ever, more books and magazines than ever are being published.

 

28.      The ability to write clearly and concisely is necessary for those hold­ing many of the best jobs, therefore I intend to practice in order to improve my writing.

 

29.      A polished manner of speaking helps persuade many people, it’s indis­pensable to a good salesman.

 

30.      The professor lost his temper in class, thereby losing the respect of most of his students.

 

 

 

Comma Splices and Run-Together Sentences: Answer Key

 

 

1.       I like to study with my friends; this gives me the use of their brains too.

 

2.       I like to hunt alone, since a group of hunters will startle the game too easily. [correct]

 

3.       POGO is my favorite comic strip.  It is full of humor and satire.

 

4.       We made our first stop at the North Rim; there we were able to rent a rustic cabin.

 

5.       You should change the sparkplugs in your car at least every 10,000 miles. Otherwise you will waste a good deal of gasoline.

 

6.       You should enter all bibliographic information on your note cards, the point being to avoid having to look up the information a second time.  [correct]

 

7.       I like to see reruns of old-time comedies, the kinds that depend almost wholly on slapstick for humor.

 

8.       Sentimental comedies bore me; they really have no humor in them at all.

 

9.       The kind of water used in making whisky is very important; it must not have any iron in it at all.

 

10.     I’ll track down Lassie, wherever she may be.  [correct]

 

11.     The news coverage of the impeachment was excellent, especially that given by CBS.  [correct]

 

12.     The ten billion neurons in my brain are not working well today; they probably need a little liquid nourishment.

 

13.     Always bet the come line in craps, even when a roller has made a half dozen straight passes.  [correct]

 

14.     I must rely on my dictionary a great deal; I’m a poor speller. 

 

15.     I like reading books on science, particularly ones that discuss cosmology.  [correct]

 

16.     A large proportion of teenage marriages end in divorce.  This is probably due largely to the partners’ immaturity. 

 

17.      Yoknapatawpha is a fictional county in Mississippi, the scene of most of William Faulkner's great novels and short stories.  [correct]