SAT Writing : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Comma Splices
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Example Questions
Example Question #3761 : Sat Writing
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.
You have been really grouchy lately, it's causing a lot of people to dislike you intensely.
You have been really grouchy lately... and it's causing a lot of people to dislike you intensely.
You have been really grouchy lately, it's causing a lot of people to dislike you intensely.
You have been really grouchy lately, and it's causing a lot of people to dislike you intensely.
You have been really grouchy lately; and it's causing a lot of people to dislike you intensely.
You have been really grouchy lately it's causing a lot of people to dislike you intensely.
You have been really grouchy lately, and it's causing a lot of people to dislike you intensely.
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 option provided adds the coordinating conjunction "and" after the comma.
Example Question #91 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
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 been feeling rather depressed lately, a good joke and an afternoon with an old friend would go a long way towards making me feel better.
I've been feeling rather depressed lately; and a good joke and an afternoon with an old friend would go a long way towards making me feel better.
I've been feeling rather depressed lately; a good joke and an afternoon with an old friend would go a long way towards making me feel better.
I've been feeling rather depressed lately, a good joke and an afternoon with an old friend would go a long way towards making me feel better.
I've been feeling rather depressed lately but a good joke and an afternoon with an old friend would go a long way towards making me feel better.
I've been feeling rather depressed lately, or a good joke and an afternoon with an old friend would go a long way towards making me feel better.
I've been feeling rather depressed lately; a good joke and an afternoon with an old friend would go a long way towards making me feel better.
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 most concise and grammatically correct option is to simply replace the comma with a semicolon.
Example Question #91 : 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.
My favorite musical is playing in town next week, I would love for you to come with me.
My favorite musical is playing in town next week I would love for you to come with me.
My favorite musical is playing in town next week; I would love for you to come with me.
My favorite musical is playing in town next week; and I would love for you to come with me.
My favorite musical is playing in town next week, I would love for you to come with me.
My favorite musical is playing in town next week; but I would love for you to come with me.
My favorite musical is playing in town next week; I would love for you to come with me.
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. The only correct answer option fixes this error by simply replacing the comma with a semicolon.
Example Question #92 : 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.
This situation is very odd, I have to admit that it is also highly entertaining.
This situation is very odd; but I have to admit that it is also highly entertaining.
This situation is very odd, but I have to admit that it is also highly entertaining.
This situation is very odd, I have to admit that it is also highly entertaining.
This situation is very odd but I have to admit that it is also highly entertaining.
This situation is very odd I have to admit that it is also highly entertaining.
This situation is very odd, but I have to admit that it is also highly entertaining.
The example sentence makes a comma splice error, since both clauses are independent and they are joined only by a comma. Comma splice errors can be fixed by making the clauses into their own sentences, or joining them into a compound sentence with either a semicolon or a comma and an appropriate coordinating conjunction. All three options are equally grammatically correct, whichever you choose depends on your own personal writing style.
Example Question #93 : 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'm really enjoying the pizza, 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: but 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.
Example Question #94 : 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.
My friend Paul is an excellent driver, his brother Joseph is a superior one.
My friend Paul is an excellent driver; but his brother Joseph is a superior one.
My friend Paul is an excellent driver; and his brother Joseph is a superior one.
My friend Paul is an excellent driver, but his brother Joseph is a superior one.
My friend Paul is an excellent driver, his brother Joseph is a superior one.
My friend Paul is an excellent driver his brother Joseph is a superior one.
My friend Paul is an excellent driver, but his brother Joseph is a superior one.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to make the two independent clauses their own sentences. The other is to join them into one compound sentence, if you choose to go that route, you can either join the clauses with a semicolon instead of a comma, or a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction. In this case, since a contrast is being indicated, the coordinating conjunction "but" is the best choice.
Example Question #95 : 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.
My father is an excellent attorney, he has represented a broad array of clients.
My father is an excellent attorney, he has represented a broad array of clients.
My father is an excellent attorney he has represented a broad array of clients.
My father is an excellent attorney; while he has represented a broad array of clients.
My father is an excellent attorney; and he has represented a broad array of clients.
My father is an excellent attorney; he has represented a broad array of clients.
My father is an excellent attorney; he has represented a broad array of clients.
In the example sentence, both "my father is an excellent attorney" and "he has represented a broad array of clients" are both acting as independent (main) clauses, and thus joining them with only a comma is incorrect. This species of error is called a comma splice. If you wish to join two independent clauses into one compound sentence, you can either use a semicolon, or a comma and a coordinating conjunction. The only correct answer option uses a semicolon.
Note also, that semicolons, when used in this manner, cannot be followed by a coordinating conjunction.
Example Question #96 : 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.
There's a grocery store across the street from me, I frequent it almost every day.
There's a grocery store across the street from me but I frequent it almost every day.
There's a grocery store across the street from me I frequent it almost every day.
There's a grocery store across the street from me; and I frequent it almost every day.
There's a grocery store across the street from me, and I frequent it almost every day.
There's a grocery store across the street from me, I frequent it almost every day.
There's a grocery store across the street from me, and I frequent it almost every day.
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, and the only correct answer option provided adds the coordinating conjunction "and" after the comma.
Example Question #6 : Commas
Are you trying to stick to a budget? Using coupons for purchases, also known as “couponing” is a great way to save money on groceries. Coupons are a little piece of paper that can give you a discount on what you buy. You will be amazed at the great bargains and amazing savings you can get!
It’s easy to get started. When you open up your daily newspaper, one might find a glossy insert full of coupons. Some of the coupons will be for things you don’t buy, some will be for things you buy all the time. Go through the coupons and chop out the ones you can use.
The key to successful couponing is getting multiple copies of coupon circulars. Ask your friends, your neighbors, and family if they have any extras. Some coupon users even go through the recycling at their office to find more coupons! Have you ever heard of such a thing in your life! Completely devoted, these circulars help coupon users to get even more savings.
Couponing might sound like hard work, but for many people, it’s also a hobby. Not only does it help them save hundreds of dollars per year, but also it gives them a fun challenge every time they do their shopping.
How should the underlined section be corrected?
Some of the coupons will be for things you don’t buy some will be for things you buy all the time.
Some of the coupons will be for things you don’t buy and some will be for things you buy all the time.
Some of the coupons will be for things you don’t buy but some will be for things you buy all the time.
Some of the coupons will be for things you don’t buy, but some will be for things you buy all the time.
NO CHANGE
Some of the coupons will be for things you don’t buy, but some will be for things you buy all the time.
This question asks you to correct a comma splice error. A comma splice occurs when two complete sentences are joined with just a comma. We have two options to correct a comma splice. We can either replace the comma with a period to create two complete sentences, or we can use a comma and a conjunction. In this context, the second sentence provides a contrast to the first sentence, so it is appropriate to use a comma and the conjunction “but.” Eliminating the comma creates a run-on sentence even if the conjunction "but" is added. The use of the conjunction "and" is grammatically correct, but it is not as strong a choice since it does not communicate the contrast between the two sentences.
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