SENTENCE PROBLEMS - PRACTICE

IDENTIFY THE SENTENCE PROBLEMS IN THESE SENTENCES & CORRECT THEM

1. By the time Julia Roberts was 23, she had won two academy award nominations, she had also
become the world's most popular female actress.
a. fragment
b. run on
c. comma splice
d. choppy
e. correct

2. Since then, Roberts has appeared in fourteen films. Most recently, "My Best Friend's Wedding"
and "The Conspiracy Theory."
a. fragment
b. run on
c. comma splice
d. choppy
e. correct

3. She didn't plan to become an actress. She wanted to be six feet tall. She wanted to be a
veterinarian. She wanted to be happy and make others happy.
a. fragment
b. run on
c. comma splice
d. choppy
e. correct

4. Although Julia Roberts has had much professional success. Her personal life has been troubled
with several failed relationships.
a. fragment
b. run on
c. comma splice
d. choppy
e. correct

5. Julia Roberts lives in Manhattan, not far from the apartment she once shared with her sister in
Greenwich Village.
a. fragment
b. run on
c. comma splice
d. choppy
e. correct

6. She came to New York when she was seventeen. Because her older sister lived there and she
was influenced by her sister.
a. fragment
b. run on
c. comma splice
d. choppy
e. correct

7. Roberts was raised in Georgia. Her parents ran a theater school there. Her sister and brother
are also actors. The family was always short of money.
a. fragment
b. run on
c. comma splice
d. choppy
e. correct

8. When Julia was four years old, her parents divorced. After eighteen years of marriage.
a. fragment
b. run on
c. comma splice
d. choppy
e. correct

9. Julia and her sister lived with their mother. Their brother stayed with their father. Who died of
cancer five years later.
a. fragment
b. run on
c. comma splice
d. choppy
e. correct

10. In high school, Julia found classwork boring, she didn't know how to be a good student.
a. fragment
b. run on
c. comma splice
d. choppy
e. correct

11. After she graduated from high school, Julia worked in a shoe store while auditioning for
acting jobs. Though didn't get hired for a year.
a. fragment
b. run on
c. comma splice
d. choppy
e. correct

12. In 1990, "Pretty Woman" became a smash hit her natural gift for this type of comedy brought
her a nomination for Best Actress.
a. fragment
b. run on
c. comma splice
d. choppy
e. correct

13. Julia Roberts was engaged to Keifer Sutherland in 1991. Three days before the wedding, she
changed her mind and canceled everything.
a. fragment
b. run on
c. comma splice
d. choppy
e. correct

14. The singer-actor Lyle Lovett is ten years older than Julia she married him in 1993 but split up
after less than two years.
a. fragment
b. run on
c. comma splice
d. choppy
e. correct

15. "Stepmom" is Julia Robert's new movie. It is a family drama. It co-stars Susan Sarandon. Ed
Harris is also a co-star.
a. fragment
b. run on
c. comma splice
d. choppy
e. correct

16. Currently, Julia is dating Benjamin Bratt. Who plays a detective on the TV series, "Law and
Order."
a. fragment
b. run on
c. comma splice
d. choppy
e. correct

17. Roberts says that she enjoys getting older and is content with her life experiences.
a. fragment
b. run on
c. comma splice
d. choppy
e. correct

CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER

18. Justin was excited about inviting friends over, eating a good meal, and ___ .
a. ...a game of cards.
b. ...to play cards.
c. ...playing a game of cards.

19. I have always enjoyed reading the book more than _____________________.
a. ...I watched the movie version.
b. ...watching the movie.
c. ...to watch the movie.

20. When the weather outside is cold and ________, I like to be indoors.
a. ...starting to get windy...
b. ...windy...
c. ...getting windy...

21. Running, lifting, and ____________ are three of Ashley’s favorite exercises.
a. ...racquetball...
b. ...a spinning class...
c. ...bicycling...

22. I want this to be done ________________.

A. precisely, carefully and immediate
B. with accurate measure,carefully, immediately
C. precisely, carefully and immediately
D. precisely, with proper precaution, and immediately

23. His actions were ________________.

A. bold, with lots of courage, and laudable
B. bold, courageous and laudable
C. bold, with lots of courage, and can be praised
D. bold, courage, and can be praised

24. She was ________________.

A. weak, vulnerable and stupid
B. not so strong, without any defense and stupid
C. weak, without any defense and stupid
D. weak, vulnerable and lacked intelligent

25. Doctor advised him ________________.

A. to stay at home, taking proper medication and avoiding junk food
B. staying at home, to take proper medication and to avoid junk food
C. to stay at home, to take proper medication and avoiding junk food
D. to stay at home, to take proper medication and to avoid junk food

26. My wife is ________________.

A. an artist, sings and dances.
B. an artist, a singer and dances
C. an artist, a singer and a dancer
D. an artist. Sings and a dancer

27. Money can’t help you to buy ________________.

A. happiness,being peaceful and a perfect family
B. being happy, peace and a perfect family
C. happiness, peace and a perfect family
D. being happy,being peaceful and a perfect family

28. She told me ________________.

A. to be responsible, spending more times with her and being more affectionate
B. being responsible, to spend more times with her and to be more affectionate
C. to be responsible, to spend more times with her and being more affectionate
D. to be responsible, to spend more times with her and to be more affectionate

29. After losing the game the manager blamed players’ lack of ________________ .
A. concentration, proper attitude and motivation
B. concentrating, proper attitude and motivation
C. concentration, proper attitude and not being motivated
D. concentrating, proper attitude and not being motivated

IN THE SENTENCES BELOW, WRITE A WORD OR PHRASE IN THE BLANK THAT GIVES THE
SENTENCE PARALLEL STRUCTURE.
30. The little girl liked eating cookies better than _____________________________ at her grandmother’s
house.
31. Students like to sleep, relax and _______________________________________ during the summer.
32. He went to the store to pick up a carton of milk and two ____________________.
33. Food, shelter, and ___________________________________________________ are all I need to survive on a
deserted island.
34. ______________________________________ is much better than a visit to the dentist.

REVIEW THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES FOR ERRORS IN PARALLEL STRUCTURE. CORRECT THE
SENTENCE BY REWRITING IT. NOT ALL SENTENCES ARE INCORRECT. ANSWERS MAY VARY.
35. My dog is not only friendly but he is also playfulness.
36. We can go to the park or out dancing.
37. Jeremy likes to read historical, realistic and speculative fiction.
38. Tell Michael I said he can either do homework now or later.
39. Buying a car is not a decision to take lightly nor be careless about.
40. Tyler is for the legalization not criminal of marijuana.
41. Sally needs a new stove, dishwasher and knives for her kitchen.
42. My first grade teacher taught me how to write, how to read and play tic-tac-toe.
43. She will not admit it nor will she be apologizing.
44. The whole wheat pasta is better than enriched wheat pasta.
45. Literature classes teach students to analyze texts, think critically, and have better writing.
46. Beets are just as nutrient rich as rutabagas even though they are not in season.

DECIDE WHETHER THE SENTENCE HAS PARALLEL STRUCTURE OR NOT.

47. She decided to leave her job and travelling the world.
A. Parallel B. Not Parallel

48. He started the engine, released the hand break, and checked the mirror.
A. Parallel B. Not Parallel

49. Some people think that being successful is the same thing as to have money.
A. Parallel B. Not Parallel

50. Did you decide not to come because you are tired or are you feeling sick?
A. Parallel B. Not Parallel

51. She was disappointed by not only his clothes but also his mannerisms.
A. Parallel B. Not Parallel

52. She wants neither the red one nor the yellow one.
A. Parallel B. Not Parallel

53. When I wake up I like either walking the dog or to go for a jog.
A. Parallel B. Not Parallel

54. I would describe her as intelligent, caring, and thoughtful.

A. Parallel B. Not Parallel

55. He suggested that we go for a meal then we should see a film.

A. Parallel B. Not Parallel

56. Spain is a place where you can eat cheap food and soak up the sun.
A. Parallel B. Not Parallel

CORRECT THE FAULTY PARALLELISM IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES TO MAKE THEM

CLEAR, CONCISE, AND EASY TO READ.

57. Eggs contain not only protein but are also are full of vitamins.
_____________________________________________________________
58. They are low in sodium but do not have many calories.
_____________________________________________________________

59. Eggs, however, are high in cholesterol and rather fatfilled.

_____________________________________________________________

60. The yolk of one egg contains 213 milligrams of cholesterol and there are 5 grams of fat.

_____________________________________________________________

61. Still, the whites are both fat-free and have no cholesterol.

_____________________________________________________________