SAT Writing › Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Although many species of cacti are native to the Sonoran desert only one variety has distinctive bright blue flowers.
Although many species of cacti are native to the Sonoran desert, only one variety has distinctive bright blue flowers.
Although, many species of cacti are native to the Sonoran desert only one variety has distinctive bright blue flowers.
Although many species of cacti are native to the Sonoran desert; only one variety has distinctive bright blue flowers.
Although, many species of cacti are native to the Sonoran desert, only one variety has distinctive bright blue flowers.
Although many species of cacti are native to the Sonoran desert only one variety has distinctive bright blue flowers.
“Although many species of cacti are native to the Sonoran desert” is a dependent clause, and “only one variety has distinctive bright blue flowers” is an independent clause. Dependent clauses must be separated from independent clauses with commas.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
It takes a lot of time, effort, and money to become a great chef, chefs are often underappreciated as artists.
It takes a lot of time, effort, and money to become a great chef, but chefs are often underappreciated as artists.
It takes a lot of time, effort, and money to become a great chef chefs are often underappreciated as artists.
It takes a lot of time effort and money to become a great chef chefs are often underappreciated as artists.
It takes a lot of time, effort and money to become a great chef, chefs are often underappreciated as artists.
It takes a lot of time, effort, and money to become a great chef, chefs are often underappreciated as artists.
When two independent clauses are joined only by a single comma it results in an error known as a comma splice. In the example above, something more than a comma is needed to separate the two clauses. The options to join two independent clauses into one sentence are either a comma followed by a conjunction or a semicolon (with no conjunction).
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The old man went down to his venerable fishing boat, it was a fine and beautiful summer's day.
The old man went down to his venerable fishing boat, because it was a fine and beautiful summer's day.
The old man went down to his venerable fishing boat, it was a fine and beautiful summer's day.
The old man went down to his Venerable Fishing Boat, it was a fine and beautiful summer's day.
The old man went down to his venerable fishing boat, it was a fine and beautiful Summer's day.
The old man went down to his venerable fishing boat, it was a fine and beautiful summer day.
When two independent clauses are joined only by a single comma, this results in an error known as a comma splice. In the example above, something more than a comma is needed to separate the two clauses. The best way to correct the underlined portion is: "The old man went down to his venerable fishing boat, because it was a fine and beautiful summer's day."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I am a huge fan of Bill Paxton's work, he hasn't done anything interesting in quite a long while.
I am a huge fan of Bill Paxton's work, but he hasn't done anything interesting in quite a long while.
I am a huge fan of Bill Paxton's work, he hasn't done anything interesting in quite a long while.
I am a huge fan of Bill Paxton's work or he hasn't done anything interesting in quite a long while.
I am a huge fan of Bill Paxton's work, cause he hasn't done anything interesting in quite a long while.
I am a huge fan of Bill Paxton's work; and he hasn't done anything interesting in quite a long while.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined only by a single comma. One option to fix such an error is simply to make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. In this case, since the second clause contradicts the sentiment of the first, adding the coordinating conjunction "but" after the comma is the best way to fix this sentence.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Whenever I'm exhausted there is no better way for me to get some sleep than to rest in my bed.
Whenever I'm exhausted, there is no better way for me to get some sleep than to rest in my bed.
Whenever I'm exhausted there is no better way for me to get some sleep than to rest in my bed.
Whenever, I'm exhausted there is no better way for me to get some sleep than to rest in my bed.
Whenever I'm, exhausted there is no better way for me to get some sleep than to rest in my bed.
Whenever I'm exhausted there are no better way for me to get some sleep than to rest in my bed.
Introductory are subordinate and add information to a sentence, but are not necessary to the sentence being grammatically complete, must be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. "Whenever I'm exhausted," establishes the contextual condition for the situation described in the main clause, and acts as an introductory clause. Thus, a comma must be added after "exhausted."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
This bread is so good, it's like eating a delicious sponge.
This bread is so good; it's like eating a delicious sponge.
This bread is so good, it's like eating a delicious sponge.
This bread is so good; and it's like eating a delicious sponge.
This bread is so good or it's like eating a delicious sponge.
This bread is so good; but it's like eating a delicious sponge.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. The only correct answer option simply replaces the comma with a semicolon.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I'm really enjoying the pizza, there isn't quite enough for me so I may order another.
I'm really enjoying the pizza, but there isn't quite enough for me so I may order another.
I'm really enjoying the pizza, there isn't quite enough for me so I may order another.
I'm really enjoying the pizza; but there isn't quite enough for me so I may order another.
I'm really enjoying the pizza there isn't quite enough for me so I may order another.
I'm really enjoying the pizza: but there isn't quite enough for me so I may order another.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon with no accompanying conjunction. In the sentence above, the second independent clause makes a contradictory statement, so adding the coordinating conjunction "but" is the best way to fix the splice.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I really enjoy spending time outdoors, lately the weather has been incredibly hot and not altogether pleasant.
I really enjoy spending time outdoors, but lately the weather has been incredibly hot and not altogether pleasant.
I really enjoy spending time outdoors, lately the weather has been incredibly hot and not altogether pleasant.
I really enjoy spending time outdoors; and lately the weather has been incredibly hot and not altogether pleasant.
I really enjoy spending time outdoors lately the weather has been incredibly hot and not altogether pleasant.
I really enjoy spending time outdoors, but lately the weather has been incredibly hot and not altogether pleasantly.
Comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. Since the sentence above expresses a contradiction, the best way to connect the two independent clauses is to add the coordinating conjunction "but" after the comma.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I really enjoy spending time outdoors, lately the weather has been incredibly hot and not altogether pleasant.
I really enjoy spending time outdoors, but lately the weather has been incredibly hot and not altogether pleasant.
I really enjoy spending time outdoors, lately the weather has been incredibly hot and not altogether pleasant.
I really enjoy spending time outdoors; and lately the weather has been incredibly hot and not altogether pleasant.
I really enjoy spending time outdoors lately the weather has been incredibly hot and not altogether pleasant.
I really enjoy spending time outdoors, but lately the weather has been incredibly hot and not altogether pleasantly.
Comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. Since the sentence above expresses a contradiction, the best way to connect the two independent clauses is to add the coordinating conjunction "but" after the comma.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I'm really enjoying the pizza, there isn't quite enough for me so I may order another.
I'm really enjoying the pizza, but there isn't quite enough for me so I may order another.
I'm really enjoying the pizza, there isn't quite enough for me so I may order another.
I'm really enjoying the pizza; but there isn't quite enough for me so I may order another.
I'm really enjoying the pizza there isn't quite enough for me so I may order another.
I'm really enjoying the pizza: but there isn't quite enough for me so I may order another.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon with no accompanying conjunction. In the sentence above, the second independent clause makes a contradictory statement, so adding the coordinating conjunction "but" is the best way to fix the splice.