IXL | Choose punctuation to avoid fragments and run-ons

Which is the best way to complete the text?

Rana sylvatica

, a species of wood frog, endures harsh winters in a state of frozen

hibernation; it

can survive with two-thirds of its body water completely frozen.

hibernation, and, it

hibernation; it

hibernation it

ref_doc_title.

Learn with an example

question

Which is the best way to complete the text?

After

Diane's

family moved to Ireland, she and

Sophia

were separated by the Atlantic

Ocean; but

a prolific written correspondence sustained their friendship.

Ocean; but

Ocean but

Ocean, but

key idea

Use a comma to separate two complete sentences that are joined with a coordinating conjunction, such as and, or, but, or so. However, if the coordinating conjunction joins verbs or verb phrases in a compound predicate, a comma should not be used.

Wyatt was reserved around new people, but he was hardly shy.

Wyatt was reserved around new people but was hardly shy.

Also use a comma after a dependent (or subordinate) clause if it is followed by a complete sentence. These dependent clauses usually start with a subordinating conjunction, such as after, although, or because.

Although Wyatt was reserved around new people, he was hardly shy.

Use a semicolon to connect two closely related sentences that are not joined with a coordinating conjunction.

Wyatt was hardly shy; he was simply reserved around new people.

Also use a semicolon to connect two sentences that are joined with a conjunctive adverb, such as consequently, however, or therefore.

Wyatt was hardly shy; nevertheless, he was reserved around new people.

Use a colon to introduce a list after a complete sentence. If a list does not follow a complete sentence, do not use punctuation to introduce the list.

My parents have visited much of Western Europe: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain.

My parents have visited much of Western Europe, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain.

Using punctuation and conjunctions correctly allows you to avoid sentence fragments, run-on sentences, comma splices, and inappropriate transitions.

solution

This is the correct answer:

green checkmark, After Diane's family moved to Ireland, she and Sophia were separated by the Atlantic Ocean, but a prolific written correspondence sustained their friendship.

These answer choices are not correct:

red X symbol, After Diane's family moved to Ireland, she and Sophia were separated by the Atlantic Ocean; but a prolific written correspondence sustained their friendship.

There should be a comma before the coordinating conjunction.

red X symbol, After Diane's family moved to Ireland, she and Sophia were separated by the Atlantic Ocean but a prolific written correspondence sustained their friendship.

There should be a comma before the coordinating conjunction.

$Confetti$

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Teacher tools

Work it out

Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

AA.2Identify sentence fragments

AA.3Identify run-on sentences

MM.1Use semicolons and commas to separate clauses

MM.2Use semicolons, colons, and commas with lists

MM.3Semicolons, colons, and commas: review

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