IXL | Choose punctuation to avoid fragments and run-ons

Which is the best way to complete the text?

Before

Colleen

travels to a country where a foreign language is

spoken. She

makes sure to learn a few key phrases in that language—such as how to greet people and how to ask for directions.

spoken; she

spoken. She

spoken, she

ref_doc_title.

Learn with an example

question

Which is the best way to complete the text?

Kenji

is a connoisseur of French cinema; if you want to impress

him, mention

that you enjoy the films of Jean-Luc Godard or André Bazin.

him mention

him, mention

him, or mention

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, Kenji is a connoisseur of French cinema; if you want to impress him, mention that you enjoy the films of Jean-Luc Godard or André Bazin.

These answer choices are not correct:

red X symbol, Kenji is a connoisseur of French cinema; if you want to impress him, or mention that you enjoy the films of Jean-Luc Godard or André Bazin.

The coordinating conjunction doesn't make sense in the sentence.

red X symbol, Kenji is a connoisseur of French cinema; if you want to impress him mention that you enjoy the films of Jean-Luc Godard or André Bazin.

There should be a comma after the dependent clause.

$Confetti$

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Teacher tools

Work it out

Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

BB.2Identify sentence fragments

BB.3Identify run-on sentences

NN.1Use semicolons and commas to separate clauses

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

NN.3Semicolons, colons, and commas: review

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