Avoiding Comma Splices & Fused Sentence

Which sentences are correctly punctuated? A. Andrew loves taking photographs, but his composition is poor. B. Andrew loves taking photographs but, his composition is poor. C. Andrew loves taking photographs; but his composition is poor.

Incorrect. Return to the question.

Correct! Try the next question. A. It was a great football game, we won by two points. B. It was a great football game we won by two points. C. It was a great football game. We won by two points.

Incorrect. Try again.

Correct! Try another one. A. We didn’t like the movie it was far too violent. B. We didn’t like the movie; because it was far too violent. C. We didn’t like the movie; it was far too violent.

Incorrect. Try again.

Correct. Try another one. A. Being likable is an important quality no matter where you work, likable employees are often promoted over others who do their jobs equally well but are less pleasant to be around. B. Being likable is an important quality; no matter where you work, likable employees are often promoted over others who do their jobs equally well but are less pleasant to be around.

Incorrect. Try again.

Correct! A. People want to be around likable coworkers. They make everyone feel better emotionally and physically. B. People want to be around likable coworkers; for they make everyone feel better emotionally and physically. C. People want to be around likable coworkers, they make everyone feel better emotionally and physically.

Incorrect. Try again.

Correct! A. Most birds use their songs to attract mates but the chickadee also sings for another reason. B. Most birds use their songs to attract mates, but the chickadee also sings for another reason. C. Most birds use their songs to attract mates but, the chickadee also sings for another reason.

Incorrect. Try again.

Correct! A. The chickadee has many enemies; and the hawk and the owl are two of the most dangerous. B. The chickadee has many enemies, the hawk and the owl are two of the most dangerous. C. The chickadee has many enemies, and the hawk and the owl are two of the most dangerous.

Incorrect. Try again.

Correct! A. Chickadees are protective of their flock, they use their song to warn other chickadees of danger. B. Chickadees are protective of their flock they use their song to warn other chickadees of danger. C. Chickadees are protective of their flock, so they use their song to warn other chickadees of danger.

Incorrect. Try again.

Correct! A. The song tells other chickadees of a nearby enemy; yet it also tells more than that. B. The song tells other chickadees of a nearby enemy yet, it also tells more than that. C. The song tells other chickadees of a nearby enemy, yet it also tells more than that.

Incorrect. Try again.

Correct! A. Large discount chains are keeping toy prices low this makes it difficult for toy companies to make a profit. B. Large discount chains are keeping toy prices low, this makes it difficult for toy companies to make a profit. C. Large discount chains are keeping toy prices low, so this makes it difficult for toy companies to make a profit.

Incorrect. Try again.

Correct! A. Children still like traditional toys, yet newer gadgets are often more popular. B. Children still like traditional toys; yet newer gadgets are often more popular. C. Children still like traditional toys yet newer gadgets are often more popular.

Incorrect. Try again.

Correct! Today, many kids play video games and, they also spend a lot of time on the Internet. B. Today, many kids play video games and they also spend a lot of time on the Internet. C. Today, many kids play video games, and they also spend a lot of time on the Internet.

Incorrect. Try again.

Correct! A. Traditional dolls are still popular, but many children prefer dolls that sing, dance, tell jokes, and play games on command. B. Traditional dolls are still popular; but many children prefer dolls that sing, dance, tell jokes, and play games on command. C. Traditional dolls are still popular but, many children prefer dolls that sing, dance, tell jokes, and play games on command.

Incorrect. Try again.

Correct! A. Some simple toys still become kids’ favorites but, discount stores often copy these toys. B. Some simple toys still become kids’ favorites, but discount stores often copy these toys. C. Some simple toys still become kids’ favorites but discount stores often copy these toys.

Incorrect. Try again.

Correct! A. The discount stores can sell the copies at a lower price these copied toys often become big hits. B. The discount stores can sell the copies at a lower price; these copied toys often become big hits. C. The discount stores can sell the copies at a lower price, these copied toys often become big hits.

Incorrect. Try again.

Correct! A. Bette Nesmith Graham was a secretary in the 1950’s; but her typing skills were poor. B. Bette Nesmith Graham was a secretary in the 1950’s but her typing skills were poor. C. Bette Nesmith Graham was a secretary in the 1950’s, but her typing skills were poor.

Incorrect. Try again.

Correct! A. She needed more income; therefore, she took a second job decorating bank windows for the holidays. B. She needed more income, therefore, she took a second job decorating bank windows for the holidays. C. She needed more income therefore, she took a second job decorating bank windows for the holidays.

Incorrect. Try again.

Correct! A. While painting windows, she noticed some artists painting over their mistakes so she decided to bring a small bottle of paint to her secretarial job. B. While painting windows, she noticed some artists painting over their mistakes; so she decided to bring a small bottle of paint to her secretarial job. C. While painting windows, she noticed some artists painting over their mistakes, so she decided to bring a small bottle of paint to her secretarial job.

Incorrect. Try again.

Correct! This concludes the exercise on avoiding comma splices and fused sentences.