ACT English 2.4 Sentence Structure
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ACT English: Sentence Structure Drill 2, Problem 4. Punctuating independent clauses.
ACT English | Sentence Structure |
Language | English Language |
Product Type | ACT English |
Sentence Structure | Comma Splices and Run-Ons Comma Splices and Run-on Sentences |
Transcript
clauses, perfectly capable of existing on their own.
Although that doesn't seem true of our unemployed speaker.
We can nix choice (A) since our original sentence is a comma splice.
We can tell, because it tries to connect these two independent clauses with nothing more
than a measly little comma.
Choice (B) slams the clauses together without any punctuation at all.
This makes it a run-on sentence and totally incorrect.
© isn't completely off the wall. Semicolons are useful for connecting two independent
clauses. However, (C) adds one ingredient too many with the conjunction "yet."
When we use a semicolon to connect independent clauses, no conjunction is necessary. Therefore,
we can take (C) out of consideration. Choice (D) correctly joins the two clauses
by using both a comma and the coordinating conjunction "and."
This now turns our original comma splice into a respectable compound sentence.
Hopefully, our deadbeat speaker will find a way to become a respectable citizen as well...