Sentence structure
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What this topic is really about
Option A is correct because it is a run-on sentence that fuses two independent clauses together without any punctuation or coordinating conjunctions. Options B, C, and D are incorrect because they correctly resolve the run-on using a coordinating conjunction, a subordinating conjunction, or a semicolon.
Option A is a comma splice because it incorrectly joins two complete, independent clauses with only a comma. Option B is grammatically correct because it uses the coordinating conjunction 'and' alongside a comma to properly connect the two clauses.
See the mechanism
Option A is a comma splice because it incorrectly joins two complete, independent clauses with only a comma. A diagram for this topic isn't available yet — the worked example below walks the same reasoning step by step.
An exam-style question, fully explained
Identify the comma splice:
- Identify what the question tests: Identify the comma splice:.
- Option A is a comma splice because it incorrectly joins two complete, independent clauses with only a comma.
- Option B is grammatically correct because it uses the coordinating conjunction 'and' alongside a comma to properly connect the two clauses.
Traps the examiner sets
- Option C is correct because 'to paint' matches the infinitive verbs 'to read' and 'to write', while Option B is incorrect because it uses a gerund.
- Option B is incorrect because it attaches a complete independent clause to resolve the fragment.
- Options B, C, and D are incorrect because they correctly resolve the run-on using a coordinating conjunction, a subordinating conjunction, or a semicolon.
Test your recall
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