Sentence Problem Exercise
Is this sentence a run-on?
- The bookcase is full we need another one.
Answer: Yes. This sentence has two independent clauses without a proper join.
- The monkeys in the primate house at the zoo have learned that they can manipulate zoo visitors into giving them carrots.
Answer: No. Length does not determine whether a sentence is a run-on. This sentence has only one independent clause. The subject is monkeys; the verb is have learned.
Correct any sentence that is a run-on.
- A thunderstorm is coming and it might have lightning we should go inside.
- A thunderstorm is coming, and it might have lightning, so we should go inside.
- A thunderstorm is coming, and it might have lightning. We should go inside.
- A thunderstorm is coming, and it might have lightning; we should go inside.
Notice that the first two independent clauses should have a comma between them, even though they are joined by and.
- Medieval cathedrals often used stained glass windows to tell stories to those who could not read.
Answer: This is not a run-on sentence. It has one independent clause with one subject, cathedrals, with its verb, used. Who could not read is a relative clause modifying those, the object of a preposition.
- An octopus swam through the water coral reefs were all around.
- An octopus swam through the water. Coral reefs were all around.
- An octopus swam through the water; coral reefs were all around.
This particular run-on is probably not a good candidate to receive a conjunction because the two clauses are not closely related.
Is this sentence a comma splice?
- This restaurant makes the best French fries, smothered in garlic and Parmesan cheese.
Answer: No. Smothered is not part of a clause; it introduces a participial phrase that describes the fries.
- Steven Spielberg is famous for his movies, he is known all around the world.
Answer: Yes. This sentence has two independent clauses joined by only a comma.
Correct any sentence that is a comma splice.
- The Renaissance was fueled in part by the printing press, a technology known in Asia for centuries.
Answer: This is not a comma splice. The noun phrase a technology known in Asia for centuries is actually an appositive renaming the noun printing press.
- Many people believe that dreams can predict the future, dreams are often symbolic.
Answer: Many people believe that dreams can predict the future. Dreams are often symbolic.
It would also be acceptable to say:
- Many people believe that dreams can predict the future or that dreams are often symbolic.
This changes the second independent clause into a relative clause, which is the object of the verb believe.
- No one believed he would go through with it, the odds were against him.
- No one believed he would go through with it because the odds were against him.
- No one believed he would go through with it. The odds were against him.
Identify the sentence fragment.
- Using the VCR. I am taping my favorite TV show right now.
Answer: Using the VCR. The fragment has no subject, and although it has a word that looks like a verb (using), the verb is incomplete.
- Soon Lee wants to be a fashion designer. Because of the beautiful dresses.
Answer: Because of the beautiful dresses. This fragment could easily be joined to the sentence that precedes it.
Correct the sentence fragments.
- The Louvre Museum is full of art treasures. From many countries and time periods.
Answer: The Louvre Museum is full of art treasures from many countries and time periods.
The sentence fragment is now a prepositional phrase.
- Since the recession. The school’s budget has been severely cut.
- Since the recession, the school’s budget has been severely cut.
- The school’s budget has been severely cut since the recession.
The sentence fragment is now an adverbial phrase.
- His eyes wide. The little boy watched the circus acrobats.
- His eyes wide, the little boy watched the circus acrobats.
- The little boy watched the circus acrobats, his eyes wide.
The sentence fragment is now an absolute phrase.
Move the dangling participle to its correct position.
- The porcelain statue was still in the curio case broken in the middle.
Answer: The porcelain statue, broken in the middle, was still in the curio case. Broken needs to stay close to statue, the noun it modifies.
- A woman was struck by a car bicycling to work.
Answer: A woman bicycling to work was struck by a car. Bicycling needs to stay close to woman, the noun it modifies.
Correct any sentences with misplaced modifiers.
- Driving in the storm, a large branch fell on my car.
- While I was driving in the storm, a large branch fell on my car.
- Driving in the storm, I was shocked when a large branch fell on my car.
The branch was not driving. The modifier needs to involve the subject of the sentence (the speaker).
- When reading the play, it must be remembered that Shakespeare knew nothing about modern psychology.
Answer: When reading the play, you (or one, students, and so on) must remember that Shakespeare knew nothing about modern psychology.
The original sentence has both a misplaced modifier and an unnecessary use of passive voice. Changing the sentence from passive to active clears up the modification problem.
- Without a tutor to help him, calculus proved too difficult for Larry.
- Calculus proved too difficult for Larry without a tutor to help him.
- Without a tutor to help him, Larry could not master calculus.
In the original sentence, the adverbial phrase is too close to the noun calculus. Larry is the one who lacks a tutor.
- Worried about his sister, Mario could not concentrate on the lecture.
Answer: Correct as written. Mario, the subject, is the one who is worried.
- At the age of six, my mother gave me a violin.
- My mother gave me a violin at the age of six. (still somewhat awkward)
- When I was six years old, my mother gave me a violin. (better)
Modifiers involving age are frequently subject to misinterpretation. The original sentence implies that my mother was only six when she gave me the violin.
(Please note that many acceptable corrections exist; these answers are only examples.)
Is this element restrictive or nonrestrictive?
- The sunglasses with the purple frames are mine.
Answer: Restrictive. These specific sunglasses are mine. To remove the element would change the meaning because sunglasses of different colors are not mine.
- The city of New Orleans, once governed by France, is a popular vacation spot.
Answer: Nonrestrictive. The basic statement of the sentence, New Orleans is a popular vacation spot, is not affected by the fact that France once governed the city.
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