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Exercise : Identifying Independent and Dependent Clauses

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A comma splice is the use of a comma between two independent clauses. You can usually fix the error by changing the comma to a period and therefore making the two clauses into two separate sentences, by changing the comma to a semicolon, or by making one clause dependent by inserting a dependent marker word in front of it.

The following sentences in italics are incorrect. In the first question, fix the comma splice

1. Incorrect: I like this class, it is very interesting.

Repair the Fused Sentence

Fused sentences happen when there are two independent clauses not separated by any form of punctuation. This error is also known as a run-on sentence. The error can sometimes be corrected by adding a period, semicolon, or colon to separate the two sentences.

2. Incorrect: My professor is intelligent I've learned a lot from her.

Fix the Sentence Fragment

Sentence fragments happen by treating a dependent clause or other incomplete thought as a complete sentence. You can usually fix this error by combining it with another sentence to make a complete thought or by removing the dependent marker.

3. Incorrect: Because I forgot the exam was today.

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