SAT / ACT Grammar Masterkey

  Identifying a comma splice error will allow us to eliminate most answer choices in punctuation questions. However, this is not as easy as it sounds.  The fundamental reason is that there are so many different types of sentences that often confuse us.  Below are 3 sentences we must understand to fix a comma splice / run-on sentence errors perfectly: Inverted Sentences, Imperative Sentences, and Shakespearean Sentences. 1. Inverted sentence 2. Imperative sentence 3. Shakespearean Sentence *I have simplified the name because knowing grammatical terminology is not as important as understanding the concepts themselves.

again, remember that the word "however" is not FANBOYS and does not have the power to connect two sentences . I called him , however, he did not answer. This error can be simply fixed by using a semicolon or period. I called him; however, he did not answer. I called him. However, he did not answer. Or by replacing "however" with a contrasting conjunction from FANBOYS. I called him, but he did not answer. I called him, yet he did not answer. It is perfectly fine to use the word "however" this way, though: I, however , was wrong. In this case, " however " is not connecting two sentences. Likewise, words like “ Nevertheless, Even so, Consequently, Therefore ” create a comma splice error when they are not punctuated properly. I called him, nevertheless, he did not answer. I called him, even so, he did not answer. I called him, consequently, he called me back. I called him, therefore, he c...

Along with Parallel Punctuation, a comma splice, also known as a run-on sentence, is the most common error tested in the SAT and the ACT A comma splice error occurs when two complete sentences are joined only by a comma.  I ran home, she went to school.                                                             (incorrect) Manchester United is awesome, Real Madrid is also amazing.           (incorrect) There are various ways of fixing a comma splice. However, there are 3 fundamental methods. 1st Method: Change the punctuation mark This is the easiest method of fixing a comma splice. If a comma is the problem, all we have to do is change the comma. Within the 1st method, there are 4 grammatical methods : 1. Period 2. Semicolon 3. Colon 4. Dash 1-2:...