Missing comma in a compound sentence A compound sentence consists of two or more parts that could each stand alone as a sentence. When the parts are joined by a coordinating conjunction ­ and, or, but, yet, for, nor, so ­ use a comma before the conjunction to indicate a pause between the two thoughts. In very short sentences, the comma is optional if the sentence can be easily understood without it. But you'll never be wrong to use a comma.
Example: We are working to improve our grammar, so it is important to understand how to use a compound comma properly.
Comma splice A comma splice occurs when only a comma separates clauses that could each stand alone as a sentence. To correct a comma splice, you can:
­ insert a period
­ insert a semi­colon
­ connect the clauses clearly with a comma and a coordinating conjunction
­ restructure the sentence.
1
Name:
English 9
Block:
Date:
Compound or not?
Punctuate the following sentences properly. It is possible that they are fine as written, in which case, you should leave them alone.
1. I suspect no one but you.
2. Louise ate everything but the broccoli.
3. I am giving you an extension on your essay but I will expect you to meet this
due date.
4. Mark told his friends that they were going to have a test but they didn’t believe him.
5. The heater was brand new yet even the repair person could not figure out why it would not work.
2
Name:
English 9
Block:
Date:
Correcting Comma Splices
Application Practice
Using your knowledge from the lesson, correct the following comma splices.
1. Gestures are a means of communicating for everyone, they are essential for the hearing impaired.
2. The junior high school is now called the middle school, the primary school is now called the elementary school.
3. Running away from one’s problems is never a good choice, the problems do not disappear just because one ignores them.
4. I like mustard on my hot dog, you like relish.
5. People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self‐centered, forgive them anyway.
3
Name:
English 9
Block:
Date:
Comma Splices and Compound Sentences
Understanding Check Quiz
Using your knowledge from today’s lessons, punctuate the following sentences correctly.
1. You can have new shoes or a haircut.
2. Taming a new puppy can be tiring but it really is worth the effort.
3. Alyssan and Megan have been friends since kindergarten.
4. Joey used to spend his screen time watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse when
he was little, now he prefers to use his screen time playing online games.
5. A ship is launched with its stern first for the bow would dig into the mud.
6. The kids on the back of the bus waved to the driver in the car behind them, the driver obliged them by waving back.
7. When we eat dinner at Wendy’s restaurant, I like to eat a small fries and a salad.
8. Jeff has yet to receive his allowance for the jobs that he completed last week.
9. Fifteen inches of snow fell, then the temperature plummeted.
10. Grace called her aunt’s house but no one answered.
4