COMPLETE SENTENCE OR COMMA SPLICE? 1
B2–C1 · AdvancedTwo complete clauses cannot normally be joined by a comma alone in standard written English. See if you can spot comma splices and tell them apart from correctly punctuated sentences.
Choose whether each of the following sentences (or groups of sentences) is COMPLETE or whether there is a COMMA SPLICE.
Example: I know that Robert is a good person, but he behaves very badly sometimes. → COMPLETE
1. We like her, she's very funny.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
2. We tried to call you, but you didn't pick up the phone.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
3. It's hot outside, make sure you drink plenty of water.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
4. It's cold outside, so put on some warm clothes.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
5. My mother is a great cook, and so is my sister.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
6. Our cat is really cute, he's only six months old.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
7. The test is difficult, you should study hard.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
8. We can do this, you just need to help me.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
9. I want to help her, but she won't let me.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
10. This is going to be a very cold winter, therefore, you should buy some warm boots.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
11. This is going to be a very rainy spring. Therefore, you should buy an umbrella.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
12. This is going to be a very warm autumn, so you will be able to go biking.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
13. I'll go to the mall, then I'll pick you up.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
14. Mary will pick up her sister at the beach, and then she'll call us.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
15. Tom went to see the doctor; now he has a note for school.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
16. Steve tried to fix his computer, he failed.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
17. After I saw that movie, I felt sorry for the main character.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
18. Whenever I try to talk to her, she won't listen to me.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
19. Stop doing that, it's not nice.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
20. The neighbors are making too much noise; I can't sleep.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
KEEP PRACTICING — MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU:
Comma splices are one of the most common punctuation errors in written English — these exercises cover the full range of sentence-level writing problems.
More writing & advanced exercises:
Comma splices 2 (B2/C1)
Dangling modifiers 1 (B2/C1)
Dangling modifiers 2 (B2/C1)
Misplaced modifiers 1 (B2/C1)
Avoiding double negatives 1 (B2/C1)
Avoiding double negatives 2 (B1/B2)
Redundant words and phrases 1 (B2/C1)
Apostrophe usage 1 (B2/C1)
Comma or semicolon? 1 (B2/C1)
Browse all grammar exercises →
Comma splices are one of the most common punctuation errors in written English — these exercises cover the full range of sentence-level writing problems.
More writing & advanced exercises:
Comma splices 2 (B2/C1)
Dangling modifiers 1 (B2/C1)
Dangling modifiers 2 (B2/C1)
Misplaced modifiers 1 (B2/C1)
Avoiding double negatives 1 (B2/C1)
Avoiding double negatives 2 (B1/B2)
Redundant words and phrases 1 (B2/C1)
Apostrophe usage 1 (B2/C1)
Comma or semicolon? 1 (B2/C1)
Browse all grammar exercises →
