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Quizzes > Literature & Language > English & Grammar

Spot Comma Splices & Run-On Sentences - Take the Quiz!

Ready for a run on sentence quiz? Dive in and sharpen your skills!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for a grammar quiz on spotting run-on sentences and comma splices on a dark blue background.

Think you can spot those tricky grammar pitfalls? In this comma splice quiz, you'll dive into real examples of run-on sentences, comma splices, and fragments to test your understanding. Curious what's a run-on sentence and how to correct it? We'll guide you through clear tips and examples. Need extra practice? Whether you're a student, educator, or aspiring author, this quiz on run on sentences will sharpen your editing skills and boost your confidence. Try our comma splice practice drills or push your knowledge further with a speedy run on sentence quiz. Ready to level up your writing? Jump in now and ace your grammar!

Which of the following sentences is a comma splice?
Going to the store, I bought some bread.
I went to the store, I bought some bread.
I went to the store; I bought some bread.
I went to the store and bought some bread.
A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction. Sentence A is a classic example of this error. The other options either use a conjunction, a semicolon, or a participial phrase, avoiding the splice. See more at Grammarly.
What is the error in this sentence: 'She excels at math, she struggles with writing.'?
Fragment
Missing conjunction
Comma splice
Misplaced modifier
This sentence joins two independent clauses with only a comma, which is the definition of a comma splice. A coordinating conjunction or other punctuation would be needed to correct it. See further details at Grammarly.
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
He studied all night, he passed the exam.
He studied all night he passed the exam.
Studying all night he passed the exam.
He studied all night; he passed the exam.
Option B uses a semicolon to join two independent clauses correctly. Option A is a comma splice, C is a fused sentence, and D is missing a comma after an introductory phrase. Learn more at Grammarly.
Which of the following is a sentence fragment?
The weather was cold, so she wore a warm coat.
She wore a warm coat.
Because the weather was cold.
She shivered in the cold, she stayed indoors.
Option A is a dependent clause starting with 'because' and lacks a main clause, making it a fragment. The other sentences are complete with independent clauses. More on fragments at Grammarly.
How would you correct the comma splice in the sentence: 'I love to read, it relaxes me'?
I love to read? It relaxes me.
I love to read: it relaxes me.
I love to read; it relaxes me.
I love to read it relaxes me.
Replacing the comma with a semicolon correctly joins the two independent clauses without a conjunction. The other options either leave a run-on, use inappropriate punctuation, or change meaning. See how semicolons work at Grammarly.
Which punctuation mark can replace the comma in this sentence to correct the comma splice: 'She sings beautifully, she practices daily'?
Colon
Question mark
Semicolon
Dash
A semicolon joins two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction, fixing the comma splice. Colons introduce related information, dashes are stylistic, and question marks are sentence enders. More at Grammarly.
Which of the following sentences is a run-on sentence without any punctuation?
I enjoy swimming, I hate running.
I enjoy swimming; I hate running.
Enjoying swimming is fun.
I enjoy swimming I hate running.
A fused or run-on sentence joins two independent clauses with no punctuation, as shown in option A. Option B is a comma splice, C is correct with a semicolon, and D is a complete independent clause. See fused sentences at Grammarly.
Which sentence contains a comma splice?
The sun was setting; the sky turned pink.
The sun was setting and the sky turned pink.
The sun was setting, the sky turned pink.
While the sun was setting, the sky turned pink.
Option A joins two independent clauses with just a comma, making it a comma splice. Option B uses a conjunction, C has a dependent clause first, and D uses a semicolon. More details at Grammarly.
Which of the following is a fragment?
He was tired; he continued working.
He continued working even though he was tired.
Although he was tired.
He was tired, yet he continued working.
Option A lacks an independent clause and is a dependent clause starting with 'although,' making it a fragment. The other sentences are complete. Read more at Grammarly.
What is the best single-change correction for the comma splice: 'The team practiced all week, they lost the game'?
The team practiced all week, so they lost the game.
The team practiced all week; they lost the game.
The team practiced all week: they lost the game.
The team practiced all week they lost the game.
Replacing the comma with a semicolon correctly separates the independent clauses without adding or removing words. The other options either leave a splice, add an incorrect conjunction, or use a colon inappropriately. See more at Grammarly.
A comma splice is the same as a fused sentence.
True
False
A comma splice joins independent clauses with a comma, while a fused sentence (or run-on) has no punctuation between clauses. They are related but not identical. More at Grammarly.
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
After the rain stopped, we went outside.
After the rain stopped we went outside.
After the rain stopped and we went outside.
After the rain stopped; we went outside.
An introductory dependent clause like 'After the rain stopped' requires a comma before the main clause. A semicolon is incorrect here, and joining with 'and' still needs a comma. See introductory clauses at Grammarly.
What is the difference between a comma splice and a fused sentence?
They are the same; both use commas.
A comma splice omits conjunctions; a fused sentence uses semicolons.
A comma splice uses a comma to join independent clauses; a fused sentence has no punctuation.
A comma splice joins clauses with a semicolon; a fused sentence uses a comma.
A comma splice specifically uses a comma alone between independent clauses, while a fused sentence (or run-on) lacks any punctuation between clauses. They are related but distinct errors. Learn more at Grammarly.
Identify the error in this sentence: 'When the bell rang, the students packed their bags, they rushed out the door.'
Fragment
Subject-verb agreement
Comma splice
Misplaced modifier
After the introductory clause, two independent clauses are joined by a comma alone, causing a comma splice. A semicolon or conjunction is needed. More at Grammarly.
Which revision corrects the error in this sentence by using a conjunction: 'He loves hiking, he never seems to get tired'?
He loves hiking and he never seems to get tired.
He loves hiking; and he never seems to get tired.
He loves hiking, and he never seems to get tired.
He loves hiking because he never seems to get tired.
Adding the coordinating conjunction 'and' after the comma properly joins the independent clauses without a comma splice. A semicolon with a conjunction is nonstandard, and changing to 'because' alters meaning. See coordinating conjunctions at Grammarly.
Which sentence uses a subordinating conjunction to fix the comma splice: 'The meeting ran late, we missed dinner'?
The meeting ran late, but we missed dinner.
The meeting ran late; we missed dinner.
Since the meeting ran late, we missed dinner.
The meeting ran late and we missed dinner.
Using 'since' makes the first clause dependent, so the comma correctly separates the dependent clause and the main clause. The other options either leave a comma splice or use the wrong conjunction. Details at Grammarly.
Which of the following sentences contains both a comma splice and a misplaced modifier?
Because the road was icy, the bus arrived late, everyone was patient.
I lost my keys, I can't find them.
After dinner, we went home, because we were tired.
Walking to the store, the rain started pouring, my umbrella was broken.
The opening phrase 'Walking to the store' incorrectly modifies 'rain', and two independent clauses are joined by a comma alone, creating a comma splice. The other options lack one of these issues. See misplaced modifiers and comma splices at Grammarly.
Which revision best corrects both the comma splice and the misplaced modifier in the sentence: 'Walking to the store, the rain started pouring, my umbrella was broken'?
The rain started pouring, walking to the store my umbrella was broken.
Walking to the store the rain started pouring; my umbrella was broken.
Walking to the store, I had a broken umbrella because of the pouring rain.
While I was walking to the store, the rain started pouring, and my umbrella was broken.
Option A clarifies the subject of the modifier and uses a coordinating conjunction to join the main clauses, eliminating the comma splice. The other choices either retain the splice or misplace the modifier. See guidance at Grammarly.
Which of the following is the most concise way to correct this compound-complex sentence that contains a comma splice: 'Although it was late, we continued working on the project, we were determined to finish'?
Although it was late we continued working on the project, we were determined to finish.
Although it was late, we continued working on the project; we were determined to finish.
Although it was late; we continued working on the project, we were determined to finish.
Although it was late, we continued working on the project, but we were determined to finish.
Option A uses a semicolon between the two independent clauses after the dependent clause, fixing the comma splice while preserving meaning and flow. The other options misplace punctuation or change the structure incorrectly. More at Grammarly.
In which sentence are two comma splices present?
I finished my homework, and then I watched TV, but I fell asleep early.
The conference was canceled, the keynote speaker fell ill, we scheduled a new date.
He runs daily; he stays fit; he eats healthily.
She cooked dinner, invited friends over, and they ate.
Option A has two comma splices: one between 'canceled' and 'the keynote speaker' and another between 'fell ill' and 'we scheduled.' The others either use proper conjunctions or semicolons. More examples at Grammarly.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Comma Splices -

    Pinpoint errors where commas incorrectly join independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.

  2. Spot Run-On Sentences -

    Detect fused or run-together sentences that lack appropriate punctuation or connectors.

  3. Recognize Sentence Fragments -

    Find incomplete sentences that are missing a subject, verb, or complete thought.

  4. Differentiate Independent and Dependent Clauses -

    Distinguish between clauses that can stand alone and those that require additional context.

  5. Apply Corrective Punctuation and Conjunctions -

    Use commas, semicolons, and coordinating conjunctions to fix comma splices and run-on sentences.

  6. Strengthen Grammar Editing Skills -

    Leverage instant quiz feedback to refine sentence structure and improve writing clarity.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Spotting Independent Clauses -

    Independent clauses can stand alone as sentences. In a comma splice quiz, you'll often see two of these joined incorrectly, like "She loves painting, he prefers sculpture." Remember the independent-clause test from Purdue OWL: if both parts make sense on their own, you're likely dealing with a run-on sentence or comma splice.

  2. Distinguishing Comma Splices from Fused Sentences -

    A comma splice uses a comma to join two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction, such as "I drank coffee, I felt energized." A fused sentence drops the comma entirely: "I drank coffee I felt energized." Recognizing that distinction is key in our run on sentence quiz and helps you avoid common pitfalls.

  3. Using FANBOYS to Repair Splices -

    The FANBOYS acronym (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) reminds you to add a comma + conjunction between clauses: "I tried calling, but she didn't answer." This quick fix is recommended by the University of North Carolina's Writing Center. Keep this trick on hand when tackling a comma splice quiz on run on sentences.

  4. Employing Semicolons and Conjunctive Adverbs -

    As an alternative, use a semicolon to link related clauses ("The sun set; we continued hiking") or pair it with a conjunctive adverb ("The sun set; however, we continued hiking"). This method, endorsed by Grammarly Business and academic style guides, is perfect for elevating sentence variety in a what's a run-on sentence challenge.

  5. Avoiding Fragments by Checking for Subjects and Verbs -

    Sentence fragments lack a subject, verb, or complete thought, like "When we arrived at dusk." To pass any quiz on run on sentences, ensure every clause has at least one subject and one finite verb. A quick subject-verb test from the Harvard College Writing Center helps you confirm sentence completeness.

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