SAT Writing : Improving Sentences
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Example Question #52 : 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.
Gremlins are extraordinarily mischievous creatures, they are not to be trifled with.
Gremlins are extraordinarily mischievous creatures
Gremlins are extraordinarily mischievous creatures;
Gremlns are extraordinarily mischievious creatures,
Gremlins are extraordinarily mischievous creatures, or
Gremlins are extraordinary mischievous creatures:
Gremlins are extraordinarily mischievous creatures;
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 choice of a semicolon, rather than a period, indicates that the author wishes to indicate a connection, on some level, between the content of the two clauses. When it comes to separating independent clauses, it is important to remember that using a period, a semicolon, or a comma with a conjunction are all equally grammatically correct. Whichever of these options you choose is a reflection on your writing style, not your grammatical correctness.
Example Question #52 : 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
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 but
Political scandals take a massive toll on our politicians; and
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, with
Political scandals take a massive toll on our politicians;
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.
Example Question #53 : 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.
There is too much to do today, I'm just not sure how I want to spend my time.
There is too much to do today,
There is too much too do today,
There is too much to do today, so
There is too much to do today; so
There is to much too do today,
There is too much to do today, so
When two independent clauses are joined only by a single comma a comma splice error is created. In the example above, something more than a comma is needed to separate the two clauses. A comma and a conjunction, a semicolon, and simply splitting the sentence into two separate sentences are all grammatically correct options.
Example Question #316 : Correcting Punctuation Errors
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's extremely important that the justice system is beyond reproach, if even a single lawyer or judge breaks the law it damages our very way of life.
It's extremely important that the justice system is beyond reproach,
It's extremely important that the justice system is beyond reproach.
It's extremely important that the justice system is beyond reproach, with
It's extremely important that the justice system is beyond reproach; and
It's extremely important that the justice system is beyond reproach, and
It's extremely important that the justice system is beyond reproach, and
When two independent clauses are joined only by a single comma it results in a comma splice error. In the example above, something more than a comma is needed to separate the two clauses. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "It's extremely important that the justice system is beyond reproach, and"
A coordinating conjunction and a comma here is a good stylistic choice, since it more directly connects the two independent clauses, and thus suggests a connection in the content of the two sentences, as opposed to making the clauses two entirely separate sentences.
Example Question #54 : 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.
It can be very difficult to ferret out the full truth, it is exceedingly important that you do so.
it is exceedingly, important that you do so.
it is exceedingly important that you do so.
it's exceedingly important that you do so.
but it is exceedingly important that you do so.
nevertheless it is exceedingly, important that you do so.
but it is exceedingly important that you do so.
Comma splices occur when two independent clauses are joined by a comma with no coordinating conjunction. In the example above, something more than a comma is needed to separate the two clauses. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "but it is exceedingly important that you do so."
A semicolon or a period (and a capital first letter for "it") would also be grammatically correct options for this sentence.
Example Question #55 : 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 is nothing to be done for that patient, his injuries are too catastrophic.
There's nothing to be done for that patient, his injuries are too catastrophic.
There is nothing to be done for that patient. his injuries are too catastrophic.
There is nothing to be done for that patient, his injuries are too catastrophic.
There is nothing to be done for that patient; his injuries are too catastrophic.
There is nothing to be done for that patient, his injuries are two catastrophic.
There is nothing to be done for that patient; his injuries are too catastrophic.
When two independent clauses are joined only by a single comma it results in a comma splice error. In the example above, something more than a comma is needed to separate the two clauses. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "There is nothing to be done for that patient; his injuries are too catastrophic."
Example Question #55 : 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 government's catastrophic failure to contain the disease resulted in reduced public confidence, the citizens felt that they could not trust their representatives.
The government's catastrophic failure to contain the disease resulted in reduced public confidence... the citizens felt that they could not trust their representatives.
The governments catastrophic failure to contain the disease resulted in reduced confidence! the citizens felt that they could not trust their overlords.
The government's catastrophic failure to contain the disease resulted in reduced public confidence; and the citizens felt that they could not trust their representatives.
The government's catastrophic failure to contain the disease resulted in reduced public confidence, the citizens felt that they could not trust their representatives.
The government's catastrophic failure to contain the disease resulted in reduced public confidence; the citizens felt that they could not trust their representatives.
The government's catastrophic failure to contain the disease resulted in reduced public confidence; the citizens felt that they could not trust their representatives.
When two independent clauses are joined only by a single comma it results in a comma splice. In the example above, something more than a comma is needed to separate the two clauses, either a semicolon or a comma with a conjunction would be appropriate.
Example Question #320 : Correcting Punctuation Errors
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 takes a lot of time, effort, and money to become a great chef, chefs are often underappreciated as artists.
It takes a lot of time, effort and money to become a great chef, chefs are often underappreciated as artists.
It takes a lot of time, effort, and money to become a great chef, but chefs are often underappreciated as artists.
It takes a lot of time effort and money to become a great chef chefs are often underappreciated as artists.
It takes a lot of time, effort, and money to become a great chef, chefs are often underappreciated as artists.
It takes a lot of time, effort, and money to become a great chef chefs are often underappreciated as artists.
It takes a lot of time, effort, and money to become a great chef, but chefs are often underappreciated as artists.
When two independent clauses are joined only by a single comma it 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 options to join two independent clauses into one sentence are either a comma followed by a conjunction or a semicolon (with no conjunction).
Example Question #61 : 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.
Cooking is really rather more art than science, it's extremely difficult to become an expert cook.
Cooking is really rather more art than science, it's extremely difficult to become an expert cook.
Cooking is really rather more art than science, its extremely difficult to become an expert cook.
Cooking is really rather more art than science; it's extremely difficult to become an expert cook.
Cooking is real rather more art than science, it's extremely difficult to become an expert cook.
Cooking, is really rather more art than science, it's extremely difficult to become an expert cook.
Cooking is really rather more art than science; it's extremely difficult to become an expert cook.
When two independent clauses are joined only by a single comma it results in an error known as the "comma splice." In the example above, something more than a comma is needed to separate the two clauses. In terms of smoothness, the best choice would be a semicolon.
Example Question #3741 : 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.
Bourbon is an exceptional kind of whiskey, it may only be produced in the United States.
Bourbon is an exceptional kind of whiskey; it may only be produced in the United States.
Bourbon is an exceptional kind of whiskey, it may only be produced in the United States.
Bourbon is an exceptional kind of whiskey; while it may only be produced in the United States.
Bourbon is an exceptional kind of whiskey, with it may only be produced in the United States.
Bourbon is an exceptional kind of whiskey; and it may only be produced in the United States.
Bourbon is an exceptional kind of whiskey; it may only be produced in the United States.
Independent clauses are grammatically complete sentences that could stand on their own. For a variety of reasons (most of them related to content and context) you may, on occasion, wish to combine two independent clauses into one compound sentences. In such cases, the two grammatically correct options available are to use a semicolon (with no coordinating conjunction) or to use a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction. For the example above, a semicolon is the only correct option provided.
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