Farzad Hashemi

Comma Splices & Run-Ons – Exercise 1 (Answer Key)

1. Run-on sentence or not?

The government also can pose important actions they should hear the voices of the public on
health-related issues.

a. correct b. run-on sentence

There are two independent clauses here. “They should hear” is the start of the new idea.
There must be a semi-colon or a period before the second independent clause.

2. Comma splice or not?

Mobile payment will always develop, especially next year, it will grow dramatically.

a. correct b. comma splice

The first comma is a comma splice because it is followed by a complete sentence. It must be
replaced with the period or a semi-colon.

3. Comma splice or not?

Since mankind discovered the energy sources, the world has started to develop, however, these
energy sources have harmed the earth.

a. correct b. comma splice

“However” is coming after a complex sentence and before a simple sentence. They are both
complete ideas. Therefore, the comma before “however” must change to a period or a semi-
colon.

4. Comma splice or not?

The force on individuals is not enough to fight with climate change, we also need support on a
national level.

a. correct b. comma splice

The comma is used between two independent clauses, so it is incorrect. It can be replaced
with either a period or a semi-colon, but semi-colon seems more appropriate in this context
since the ideas are closely connected.

5. Comma splice or not?

Farzad Hashemi

Because individuals are not able to reduce their own climate change footprint alone, this action
has to be made by the community.

a. correct b. comma splice

The comma is correct because it is used after a dependent clause in a complex sentence.

6. Comma splice or not?

This is what government should do, figuring out what the problems are and seeking solutions
from the individuals and public society.

a. correct b. comma splice

The comma is followed by a dependent clause which cannot stand alone as a complete
sentence. Using a period instead of a comma makes it a fragment sentence. Therefore, the
punctuation in this sentence is correct.

7. Comma splice or not?

The government need to set up new laws, conduct supervisory actions, and support reforms
and actions that can solve the environmental problems, these need global coordination and
efforts.

a. correct b. comma splice

The comma between “problems” and “these” is a mistake because it’s used between two
independent clauses. It must change to a period or a semi-colon.

8. Run-on sentence or not?

The heat increase in the hottest regions may cause people’s daily life become more difficult
even a small change of climate in the Arctic region may lead to significant health impact or
some food supply issues.

a. correct b. run-on sentence

There are two independent clauses here. The word “even” starts the second complete idea.
There must be a semi-colon or a period before “even”.

9. Comma splice or not?

Another problem is that in less developed countries, they are lacking natural resources, while in
developed countries, there are no actions in place to be taken.
Farzad Hashemi

a. correct b. comma splice

All punctuation marks in this sentence are correct. The first and third commas are used after
phrases, and the second comma is used before a subordinating conjunction that is used to
show contrast.

10. Run-on sentence or not?

Different parties have different opinion on climate change as Dupuis (2011) states, Republicans
are not giving any attention to climate change.

a. correct b. run-on sentence

The first sentence ends at “climate change”, and “as Dupuis (2011)” is the start of a new
(complex) sentence. There must be a period or a semi-colon after “change”.