SAT Writing › Correcting Punctuation Errors: Comma Splices
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I think it's enjoyable to eat in restaurants, it is often cheaper to cook at home.
I think it's enjoyable to eat in restaurants, but it is often cheaper to cook at home.
I think it's enjoyable to eat in restaurants, it is often cheaper to cook at home.
I think it's enjoyable to eat in restaurants: but it is often cheaper to cook at home.
I think it's enjoyable to eat in restaurants; but it is often cheaper to cook at home.
I think it's enjoyable to eat in restaurants but it is often cheaper to cook at home.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. In this case, the best option is to add the coordinating conjunction "but" after the comma.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I find it hard to believe that Larry David manages to find himself in so many awkward situations, there's a television program documenting that he does.
I find it hard to believe that Larry David manages to find himself in so many awkward situations, but there's a television program documenting that he does.
I find it hard to believe that Larry David manages to find himself in so many awkward situations, there's a television program documenting that he does.
I find it hard to believe that Larry David manages to find himself in so many awkward situations; and there's a television program documenting that he does.
I find it hard to believe that Larry David manages to find himself in so many awkward situations: and there's a television program documenting that he does.
I find it hard to believe that Larry David manages to find himself in so many awkward situations, but theres a television program documenting that he does.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. In the sentence above simply adding the coordinating conjunction "but" will fix the error.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence
Political scandals take a massive toll on our politicians, the public should spend its time focused on the issues rather than such distractions.
Political scandals take a massive toll on our politicians;
Political scandals take a massive toll on our politicians,
Political scandals take a massive toll on our politicians; and
Political scandals take a massive toll on our politicians but
Political scandals take a massive toll on our politicians, with
Comma splice errors occur when only a comma is used to create a compound sentence. In the example above, something more than a comma is needed to separate the two clauses. The answer provided is a semicolon, but a comma with a coordinating conjunction, or a period would also be grammatically correct.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I can't stand how much Emmett bloviates, he is constantly saying more than is necessary or proper.
I can't stand how much Emmett bloviates: he is constantly saying more than is necessary or proper.
I can't stand how much Emmett bloviates, he is constantly saying more than is necessary or proper.
I can't stand how much Emmett bloviates he is constantly saying more than is necessary or proper.
I can't stand how much Emmett bloviates-he is constantly saying more than is necessary or proper.
I can't stand how much Emmett bloviates, with he is constantly saying more than is necessary or proper.
When two independent clauses are joined only by a single comma, this results in an error known as a comma splice. In the example above, something more than a comma is needed to separate the two clauses. The only correct option from the choices given is the colon.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The governor was bloviating incessantly, many citizens were bored to tears.
The governor was bloviating incessantly; many citizens were bored to tears.
The governor was bloviating incessantly, many citizens were bored to tears.
The governor was bloviating incessantly, with many citizens were bored to tears.
The governor was bloviating incessantly, for many citizens were bored to tears.
The governor was bloviating incessantly...many citizens were bored to tears.
When two independent clauses are joined only by a single comma, this results in an error known as a comma splice. In the example above, something more than a comma is needed to separate the two clauses. Either a comma with a conjunction or a semicolon would correctly combine these clauses into a single sentence.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I've had a very long day, I would deeply appreciate it if you would stop making that horrid sound.
I've had a very long day, so I would deeply appreciate it if you would stop making that horrid sound.
I've had a very long day, I would deeply appreciate it if you would stop making that horrid sound.
I've had a very long day; so I would deeply appreciate it if you would stop making that horrid sound.
I've had a very long day but I would deeply appreciate it if you would stop making that horrid sound.
no I've had a very long day for I would deeply appreciate it if you would stop making that horrid sound.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined only by a single comma. One option to fix such an error is simply to make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. In this case, adding the coordinating conjunction "and" after the comma is the best way to fix the example sentence.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I really enjoy spending time outdoors, lately the weather has been incredibly hot and not altogether pleasant.
I really enjoy spending time outdoors, but lately the weather has been incredibly hot and not altogether pleasant.
I really enjoy spending time outdoors, lately the weather has been incredibly hot and not altogether pleasant.
I really enjoy spending time outdoors; and lately the weather has been incredibly hot and not altogether pleasant.
I really enjoy spending time outdoors lately the weather has been incredibly hot and not altogether pleasant.
I really enjoy spending time outdoors, but lately the weather has been incredibly hot and not altogether pleasantly.
Comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. Since the sentence above expresses a contradiction, the best way to connect the two independent clauses is to add the coordinating conjunction "but" after the comma.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I'm really enjoying the pizza, there isn't quite enough for me so I may order another.
I'm really enjoying the pizza, but there isn't quite enough for me so I may order another.
I'm really enjoying the pizza, there isn't quite enough for me so I may order another.
I'm really enjoying the pizza; but there isn't quite enough for me so I may order another.
I'm really enjoying the pizza there isn't quite enough for me so I may order another.
I'm really enjoying the pizza: but there isn't quite enough for me so I may order another.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon with no accompanying conjunction. In the sentence above, the second independent clause makes a contradictory statement, so adding the coordinating conjunction "but" is the best way to fix the splice.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
This bread is so good, it's like eating a delicious sponge.
This bread is so good; it's like eating a delicious sponge.
This bread is so good, it's like eating a delicious sponge.
This bread is so good; and it's like eating a delicious sponge.
This bread is so good or it's like eating a delicious sponge.
This bread is so good; but it's like eating a delicious sponge.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. The only correct answer option simply replaces the comma with a semicolon.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I am a huge fan of Bill Paxton's work, he hasn't done anything interesting in quite a long while.
I am a huge fan of Bill Paxton's work, but he hasn't done anything interesting in quite a long while.
I am a huge fan of Bill Paxton's work, he hasn't done anything interesting in quite a long while.
I am a huge fan of Bill Paxton's work or he hasn't done anything interesting in quite a long while.
I am a huge fan of Bill Paxton's work, cause he hasn't done anything interesting in quite a long while.
I am a huge fan of Bill Paxton's work; and he hasn't done anything interesting in quite a long while.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined only by a single comma. One option to fix such an error is simply to make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. In this case, since the second clause contradicts the sentiment of the first, adding the coordinating conjunction "but" after the comma is the best way to fix this sentence.