English 101
Comma Splice Practice—4 points
Due Wednesday 1/20
Name:
Instructions: Answer the following questions directly on this sheet. Lists of the necessary conjunctions can be
found on the other side of this page, at the end of the questions. This is not a test. The 4 points are for
completion. I will give you feedback on correctness.
1. Circle the sentence below that contains a comma splice.
a. The dinosaur saw the asteroid coming, he shouted at his family to get out of the way.
b. The dinosaur shouted, ran, and hid, but became extinct anyway.
2. The following sentences contain comma splices. Eliminate the comma splices by joining the clauses with a
coordinating conjunction. Punctuate correctly. You don’t need to write out the whole sentence, just add the
conjunction and the correct punctuation.
a. The scientists didn’t know why dinosaurs became extinct, they thought it could have been because
dinosaurs were stupid.
b.
Dinosaurs were not stupid, the scientists were.
3. Compose a sentence in which two closely related independent clauses are joined with a semi-colon. This
must be your own sentence (not Trimble’s or anyone else’s).
4. The following sentences contain comma splices. Correct them by joining the clauses with a subordinating
conjunction, putting the conjunction between the clauses. Put the clauses in whatever order makes sense—
you’ll have to decide which clause should be the dependent one and which one should be the independent
clause. Punctuate correctly. Write out the whole sentence.
a.
The dinosaurs argued about which movie to see, they ended up not seeing any movie.
b.
I don’t remember anything about dinosaurs, I studied them in elementary school.
5. The following sentences contain comma splices. Correct them by joining the clauses with a subordinating
conjunction, and put the subordinated, dependent clause first in the sentence (before the independent
clause). You’ll have to decide which clause should be the dependent clause and which clause should be the
independent clause. Punctuate correctly. Write out the whole sentence.
a. I am great at grammar, I did really well on the grammar test.
b. I did really well on the grammar test, I am not great at grammar.
(over)
6. The following sentences contain comma splices. Correct them by joining the clauses with a conjunctive
adverb. Punctuate correctly. You do not have to write out the whole sentence, just add the conjunction and
the correct punctuation.
a. Many people are addicted to their phones, we are losing our face-to-face communication skills.
b. The weather is beautiful today, I have to stay inside and do homework.
7. Are the following sentences or phrases complete or incomplete sentences? Circle the correct answer.
6a. Because I could not stop for death.
Complete
Incomplete
6b. Nevertheless, Death kindly stopped for me.
Complete
Incomplete
6c. But I can’t come to your party tomorrow.
Complete
Incomplete
6d. Although I wish I could come to your party.
Complete
Incomplete
7. Compose a sentence of your own which contains three clauses joined by two coordinating conjunctions.
Punctuate correctly. Circle the coordinating conjunctions that are joining the clauses.
8. Compose a sentence of your own which contains three clauses joined by two subordinating conjunctions.
Punctuate correctly. Circle the subordinating conjunctions that are joining the clauses.
Coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, so, yet
Subordinating conjunctions: after, although, as, as soon as, because, before, even though, if, in case, now that,
since, though, unless, until, when, whenever, whether, whether or not, while
Conjunctive adverbs: accordingly, also, besides, consequently, conversely, finally, furthermore, hence,
however, indeed, instead, likewise, meanwhile, moreover, nevertheless, next, nonetheless, otherwise,
similarly, still, subsequently, then, therefore, thus