Questions and Answers
What is a comma splice?
The combination of two or more independent clauses that are separated only by a comma, instead of by a period or semicolon.
What is a dependent clause?
A group of words that contains a subject and a predicate but does not express a complete idea.
What is a fused sentence?
The combination of two or more independent clauses that are not separated by punctuation marks.
What is an independent clause?
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What is a predicate?
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What is a run-on sentence?
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What is sentence fluency?
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What is a sentence fragment?
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What is the subject of a sentence?
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Which is the best way to combine these sentences: Thomas Paine's Common Sense was published in 1776. The Revolutionary War began that same year.
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Which sentence in the paragraph is structured differently than the others?
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Which of the following is a sentence fragment?
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Which is the best way to revise this sentence to improve variety: Jefferson began writing in early June of 1776, and he took three weeks to finish the first draft.
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Which is the best way to rewrite this sentence: Despite his nerves he was ready for his first interview and had thought through each potential question.
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A _______ has two or more independent clauses without any punctuation between.
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Which statement best describes the paragraph summarizing Olaudah Equiano's slave narrative?
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Which is the best way to combine these two sentences: There were five original Iroquois Nations. In the early 1700s, the Tuscarora joined the Confederacy as the sixth.
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Which sentence contains a comma splice?
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Why does this paragraph lack sentence variety?
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Study Notes
Sentence Structures and Concepts
- Comma Splice: Incorrectly combines independent clauses solely with a comma.
- Dependent Clause: Contains a subject and predicate but does not express a complete thought.
- Fused Sentence: Joins independent clauses without any punctuation.
- Independent Clause: Consists of a subject and predicate, conveying a complete idea.
- Predicate: Describes actions or attributes of the subject.
- Run-On Sentence: Merges independent clauses without proper conjunctions or punctuation.
Importance of Sentence Fluency
- Sentence Fluency: Relates to the rhythm and smoothness in writing, enhancing readability.
- Sentence Fragment: An incomplete sentence lacking necessary components to stand alone.
Examples and Revision Techniques
- Combining sentences effectively improves clarity; e.g., "Thomas Paine's Common Sense was published in 1776, and the Revolutionary War began that same year."
- Identifying sentence structure variations enhances engagement; e.g., juxtaposing simple and complex sentences.
Identifying Sentence Errors
- A sentence fragment is identifiable by its inability to stand alone. Example: "Barack Obama, who won the presidential election in 2008 and was inaugurated in 2009."
- A comma splice can be identified by the use of a comma between independent clauses without a conjunction, such as in "Marco rode to school on his bicycle this morning, he arrived an hour early."
Enhancing Sentence Variety
- Variation can be achieved by restructuring sentences. For example, altering "Jefferson began writing in early June 1776, and he took three weeks to finish the first draft" to "In early June 1776, Jefferson began writing, and he took three weeks to finish the first draft."
- Structured sentences similarly can lead to monotony in writing, as seen in a paragraph where each begins with the subject.
Techniques for Combining Sentences
- Use semicolons or conjunctions appropriately to avoid comma splices and fused sentences.
- Consider revisions that enhance clarity and coherence, ensuring that each sentence has a different structure to maintain reader interest.
Practical Application
- Understanding and identifying types of sentences is critical for effective writing and communication.
- Recognizing sentence fluency principles helps to create more engaging and sophisticated textual compositions.
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Description
Test your knowledge on sentence fluency with these flashcards. Learn key terms such as comma splice, dependent clause, and fused sentence. Improve your writing skills by mastering these important concepts.