SAT Writing : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
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Example Question #41 : 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.
Many of the participants in the debate were completely unaware of the issues, they looked embarassed when they were asked questions about topics they had not reviewed.
issues; they
issues until they
issues which they
issues, they
issues they
issues; they
The sentence as it is written contains a comma splice, an error in which a comma is incorrectly used to combine two independent clauses. To fix the issue, one need only replace the offending comma with either a semicolon or a comma followed by a conjunction. The only answer choice that employs one of these options is "Many of the participants in the debate were completely unaware of the issues; they looked embarassed when they were asked questions about topics they had not reviewed."
Example Question #1 : 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.
One of Robert's role models is his father, a fireman, local hero, and small business owner, he started a popular clothing retail store.
owner who started
owner, starting
owner, having started
owner having started
owner, he started
owner who started
Grammatically, it is best to avoid use of verbs ending in "-ing" where they are not necessary. The correct answer avoids this by using the phrase "owner who started." It is also the most efficient (and least wordy) option.
Example Question #41 : 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 went to the parking lot to find my car and ran into Matt, he was happy to see me.
I went to the parking lot to find my car and ran into Matt but he was happy to see me.
I went to the parking lot to find my car and ran into Matt. He was happy to see me.
I went to the parking lot to find my car and ran into Matt, he was happy to see me.
I went to the parking lot to find my car and ran into Matt who was happy to see me.
I went to the parking lot to find my car and ran into Matt he was happy to see me.
I went to the parking lot to find my car and ran into Matt. He was happy to see me.
The original sentence is a good example of a run-on sentence. Here, two independent clauses are incorrectly joined together with a comma. This is a type of error known as a "comma splice." Two independent clauses can be combined into a compound sentence using a semicolon or a comma followed by a conjunction. Alternatively, we can also make the last part of the sentence about Matt its own sentence, as it is an independent clause.
Example Question #42 : 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.
Beginning with scales and warm-up exercises, was an excellent way to kick off the piano lesson.
Beginning with scales and warm-up exercises; was an excellent way to kick off the piano lesson.
Beginning with scales and warm-up exercises: was an excellent way to kick off the piano lesson.
Beginning with scales and warm-up exercises was an excellent way to kick off the piano lesson.
Beginning with scales and warm-up exercises, was an excellent way to kick off the piano lesson.
Beginning with scales, and warm-up exercises, was an excellent way to kick off the piano lesson.
Beginning with scales and warm-up exercises was an excellent way to kick off the piano lesson.
Here, we have a single independent clause. “Beginning with scales and warm-up exercises” isn’t a dependent clause; it’s part of the main idea that’s being advanced here. Adding a comma or other punctuation would incorrectly break up the clause.
Example Question #43 : 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.
The old man went down to his venerable fishing boat, it was a fine and beautiful summer's day.
The old man went down to his Venerable Fishing Boat, it was a fine and beautiful summer's day.
The old man went down to his venerable fishing boat, it was a fine and beautiful summer day.
The old man went down to his venerable fishing boat, it was a fine and beautiful Summer's day.
The old man went down to his venerable fishing boat, it was a fine and beautiful summer's day.
The old man went down to his venerable fishing boat, because it was a fine and beautiful summer's day.
The old man went down to his venerable fishing boat, because it was a fine and beautiful summer's 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. The best way to correct the underlined portion is: "The old man went down to his venerable fishing boat, because it was a fine and beautiful summer's day."
Example Question #41 : 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 landlord and I have a very acrimonious relationship, I have a hard time tolerating him.
My landlord and I, have a very acrimonious relationship: I have a hard time tolerating him.
My landlord and I have a very acrimonious relationship, I have a hard time tolerating him.
My landlord and I have a very acrimonious relationship... I have a hard time tolerating him.
My landlord and I have a very acrimonious relationship, I have: a hard time tolerating him.
My landlord and I have a very acrimonious relationship; I have a hard time tolerating him.
My landlord and I have a very acrimonious relationship; I have a hard time tolerating him.
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.
Example Question #42 : 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.
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; 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.
Example Question #46 : 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.
The young official was utterly incorruptible, she proved impossible to bribe.
The young official was utterly incorruptible...she proved impossible to bribe.
The young official was utterly incorruptible; she proved impossible to bribe.
The young official was utterly incorruptible, she proved impossible to bribe.
The young official was utterly incorruptible, but she proved impossible to bribe.
The young official was utterly incorrigible, while she proved impossible to bribe.
The young official was utterly incorruptible; she proved impossible to bribe.
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. A period, a semicolon, or a comma with a coordinating conjunction would all be appropriate replacements for the comma in the example sentence.
Example Question #47 : 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 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.
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.
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.
Example Question #48 : 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.
It is entirely too difficult to pass through that part of town unnoticed, you must keep to side streets and back alleys if you want to elude capture.
It is entirely too difficult to pass through that part of town unnoticed, but you must keep to side streets and back alleys if you want to elude capture.
It is entirely too difficult to pass through that part of town unnoticed, under you must keep to side streets and back alleys if you want to elude capture.
It is entirely too difficult to pass through that part of town unnoticed, you must keep to side streets and back alleys if you want to elude capture.
It is entirely too difficult to pass through that part of town unnoticed, so you must keep to side streets and back alleys if you want to elude capture.
It is entirely too difficult to pass through that part of town unnoticed, over you must keep to side streets and back alleys if you want to elude capture.
It is entirely too difficult to pass through that part of town unnoticed, so you must keep to side streets and back alleys if you want to elude capture.
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 three options for doing so are a comma and a coordinating conjunction, a semicolon, or a period. The best choice is: "It is entirely too difficult to pass through that part of town unnoticed, so you must keep to side streets and back alleys if you want to elude capture."
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