ACT English 2.1 Sentence Structure
ACT English: Sentence Structure Drill 2, Problem 1. Which choice best punctuates this sentence?
|ACT English||Sentence Structure|
|Product Type||ACT English|
|Sentence Structure||Comma Splices and Run-Ons|
Comma Splices and Run-on Sentences
Because we have two independent clauses here that aren't connected by any punctuation,
the sentence is what's known as a run-on or fused sentence.
Notice how the clauses, "they weren't dangerous criminals," and "they were detectives in disguise,"
both have their own subjects and predicates, making them both complete sentences that could
exist independently from each other.
If we want to put them in the same sentence, we have to use some kind of punctuation. So
we know for sure that choice (A) is leading us to Run-on Central.
Choice (D) tries to solve the problem by sticking in a dash toward the end of the sentence.
The dash does a great job of highlighting the fact that the detectives are in disguise,
but it does a terrible job of fixing our run-on problem.
We're looking for the answer that places the punctuation directly between our two independent
Choice (B) tries a semicolon on for size.
This isn't a totally bad idea; semicolons are indeed used to connect independent clauses.
However, (B) makes the same mistake as choice (D) by placing the semicolon in the wrong
Choice (C) puts the semicolon right where it needs to be, connecting our independent
clauses and solving our case of the run-ons.
So remember friends, when you're in a pinch, try semicolons for fast acting run-on relief!