Practice 2. Identifying and Fixing Run-On, Comma Splices
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Instructions
Based on this lesson, identify and fix the comma splices in each sentence, if any. There may be multiple ways to correct each sentence.
When you are finished, click “Answer.”
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1. The young football player was devastated, his injury meant that he could no longer play.
Correction (if needed):
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Possible correction 1: The young football player was devastated. His injury meant that he could no longer play.
Possible correction 2: The young football player was devastated, as his injury meant that he could no longer play.
Possible correction 3: The young football player was devastated, because his injury meant that he could no longer play.
2. Many people are very active during the warm seasons they become more sedentary the rest of the year when they tend to retreat indoors.
Correction (if needed):
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Possible correction 1: Many people are very active during the warm seasons. They become more sedentary the rest of the year when they tend to retreat indoors.
Possible correction 2: Many people are very active during the warm seasons and become more sedentary the rest of the year when they tend to retreat indoors.
3. The two senators have been enemies for years, their feud became public in last night’s TV program.
Correction (if needed):
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Correction: The two senators have been enemies for years. Their feud became public in last night’s TV program.
4. The years-long drought has caused enormous economic losses. Farmers have been affected the most.
Correction (if needed):
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This item needs no corrections.
5. John’s boss has bullied him for years, John has never confronted him.
Correction (if needed):
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Possible correction 1: John’s boss has bullied him for years. John has never confronted him.
Possible correction 2: John’s boss has bullied him for years, but John has never confronted him. (Note. In this correction, “but” can be replaced by “yet” or “and yet”)
Possible correction 3: John’s boss has bullied him for years; however, John has never confronted him. (Note. In this correction, “however” can be replaced by other concessive adverbs such as “nonetheless” or “nevertheless.”)
How is it coming so far? If you are having difficulties, you may want to take a break, review the lessons, and continue in a few minutes.
6. Researchers are concerned about obesity rates worldwide, according to a recent study, obesity has increased significantly over the last 20 years.
Correction (if needed):
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Possible correction: Researchers are concerned about obesity rates worldwide. According to a recent study, obesity has increased significantly over the last 20 years.
7. Although people are aware that certain food products are unhealthy, they continue consuming them out of convenience.
Correction (if needed):
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No correction is needed. The comma is used correctly here because the sentence starts with the subordinate clause (the “although” sentence).
8. Busy people choose convenience over health when it comes to the food they eat, this is more of a social issue than a matter of personal responsibility.
Correction (if needed):
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Possible correction 1: People choose convenience over health when it comes to the food they eat. This is more of a social issue than a matter of personal responsibility.
Possible correction 2: People choose convenience over health when it comes to the food they eat, which is more of a social issue than a matter of personal responsibility.
9. Consumption of processed foods contributes to health problems in society, but many people do not even know how their food is prepared.
Correction (if needed):
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No correction needed. You do need a comma before “but” when combining two complete sentences, so this is not a comma splice.
10. Severe storms are expected through the rest of the week, sunny weather will return by Sunday morning.
Correction (if needed):
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Possible correction 1: Severe storms are expected through the rest of the week. Sunny weather will return by Sunday morning.
Possible correction 2: Severe storms are expected through the rest of the week, but sunny weather will return by Sunday morning.
More Practice
Practice 1. Identify and fix comma splices.
Practice 2. Identify and fix comma splices. (this page)
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