Identifying Punctuation Errors
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PSAT Writing › Identifying Punctuation Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Thomas had always struggled with trigonometry, he thought that circles should remain circles and let triangles and squiggles be their own shapes. No error
trigonometry, he
had always struggled
should remain
their
No error
Explanation
This sentence is an example of a run-on or comma splice. It has two independent clauses separated only by a comma. One way to fix this is to change the comma to a semicolon; if this were to be done, the corrected sentence would read, "Thomas had always struggled with trigonometry; he thought that circles should remain circles and let triangles and squiggles be their own shapes."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Joe was feeling particularly happy on Tuesday; so he decided to treat himself to a cup of coffee and a slice of pie. No error.
Tuesday; so
was feeling
particularly
himself
No error.
Explanation
This is an incorrect use of a semi-colon. If you use a semi-colon, you should not follow it with a conjunction. In this case, it sounds best to keep the conjunction “so” and switch the semi-colon to a comma: "Joe was feeling particularly happy on Tuesday, so he decided to treat himself to a cup of coffee and a slice of pie."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Joe was feeling particularly happy on Tuesday; so he decided to treat himself to a cup of coffee and a slice of pie. No error.
Tuesday; so
was feeling
particularly
himself
No error.
Explanation
This is an incorrect use of a semi-colon. If you use a semi-colon, you should not follow it with a conjunction. In this case, it sounds best to keep the conjunction “so” and switch the semi-colon to a comma: "Joe was feeling particularly happy on Tuesday, so he decided to treat himself to a cup of coffee and a slice of pie."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Joe was feeling particularly happy on Tuesday; so he decided to treat himself to a cup of coffee and a slice of pie. No error.
Tuesday; so
was feeling
particularly
himself
No error.
Explanation
This is an incorrect use of a semi-colon. If you use a semi-colon, you should not follow it with a conjunction. In this case, it sounds best to keep the conjunction “so” and switch the semi-colon to a comma: "Joe was feeling particularly happy on Tuesday, so he decided to treat himself to a cup of coffee and a slice of pie."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Thomas had always struggled with trigonometry, he thought that circles should remain circles and let triangles and squiggles be their own shapes. No error
trigonometry, he
had always struggled
should remain
their
No error
Explanation
This sentence is an example of a run-on or comma splice. It has two independent clauses separated only by a comma. One way to fix this is to change the comma to a semicolon; if this were to be done, the corrected sentence would read, "Thomas had always struggled with trigonometry; he thought that circles should remain circles and let triangles and squiggles be their own shapes."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Finally the teacher returned our papers, and despite our initial worries, we discovered all of us had received passing marks. No error
Finally the teacher
all of us
worries, we
No error
Despite
Explanation
Here, "finally" is considered an introductory word, so it must be followed by a comma: "Finally, the teacher . . ."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Finally the teacher returned our papers, and despite our initial worries, we discovered all of us had received passing marks. No error
Finally the teacher
all of us
worries, we
No error
Despite
Explanation
Here, "finally" is considered an introductory word, so it must be followed by a comma: "Finally, the teacher . . ."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Finally the teacher returned our papers, and despite our initial worries, we discovered all of us had received passing marks. No error
Finally the teacher
all of us
worries, we
No error
Despite
Explanation
Here, "finally" is considered an introductory word, so it must be followed by a comma: "Finally, the teacher . . ."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Thomas had always struggled with trigonometry, he thought that circles should remain circles and let triangles and squiggles be their own shapes. No error
trigonometry, he
had always struggled
should remain
their
No error
Explanation
This sentence is an example of a run-on or comma splice. It has two independent clauses separated only by a comma. One way to fix this is to change the comma to a semicolon; if this were to be done, the corrected sentence would read, "Thomas had always struggled with trigonometry; he thought that circles should remain circles and let triangles and squiggles be their own shapes."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The city’s youth take great pride in the local music scene, there are popular concerts every weekend. No error
scene, there
city's youth
great pride in
every
No error
Explanation
This sentence has a comma splice, which means that it has two independent clauses separated only by a comma. A semicolon is appropriate here. The corrected sentence reads, "The city’s youth take great pride in the local music scene; there are popular concerts every weekend."