Correcting Sentence Errors

The Lesson Activities will help you meet these educational goals:

21st Century Skills—You will communicate effectively.

Directions

Pleasesave this document before you begin working on the assignment. Type your answers directly in the document. ______

Self-Checked Activities

  1. Repairing Sentence Fragments
  1. Look at the following examples of phrases. How could each of these phrases become a clause? Make each phrase a clause by rewriting it so that there is a subject that is doing an action.
  • under the bed
  • is in his room
  • since Friday
  • Tom’s best friend

Sample Answer:

  • the dog was sleeping under the bed
  • George is in his room
  • it has been raining since Friday
  • Lisa is Tom’s best friend
  1. Combine the following pairs of sentences to repair the sentence fragments.
  • Kim forgot to buy supplies for the project. Leaving her partners in a bind.
  • Dan is the best candidate for class president. Which is the reason I voted for him.
  • I came home with a terrible headache last night. Because the band was too loud.

Sample answer:

  • Kim forgot to buy supplies for the project, leaving her partners in a bind.
  • Dan is the best candidate for class president, which is the reason I voted for him.
  • I came home with a terrible headache last night, because the band was too loud.

  1. Fixing Run-on Sentences

Fix each of the following run-on sentences.

  • Wednesday is the first day of camp I’d better pack all my equipment.
  • Don’t forget to call Bob he wanted a wake-up call at 8:30.
  • Tammy baked three dozen cookies however they were gone by the time I arrived.
  • Buying a computer can be time-consuming there are so many options to consider.

Sample answer:

  • Wednesday is the first day of camp. I’d better pack all my equipment.
  • Don’t forget to call Bob, becausehe wanted a wake-up call at 8:30.
  • Tammy baked three dozen cookies; however, they were gone by the time I arrived.
  • Buying a computer can be time-consuming. There are so many options to consider.
  1. Repairing Comma Splices

Repair each of the following comma splices in a way that retains the original meaning.

  • I was late for school, I set my alarm clock.
  • The car was low on gas, Jack decided to walk to work.
  • Bob vacationed in Florida last winter, he visited Tampa and Orlando.

Sample answer:

  • I was late for school, although I set my alarm clock.
  • The car was low on gas, so Jack decided to walk to work.
  • Bob vacationed in Florida last winter, where he visited Tampa and Orlando.
  1. Correcting Shifts in Tense

Rewrite the following sentences to avoid a shift in tense or to use a correct shift in tense.

  • When I found the wallet, I returnit to lost and found.
  • Ken and Tina will eat dinner after they left the theater.
  • Steve didn’t participate when we work on the project.

Sample answer:

  • When I found the wallet, I returned it to lost and found.
  • Ken and Tina will eat dinner after they leave the theater.
  • Steve didn’t participate when we worked on the project.

  1. Rewriting in Active Voice

Rewrite each of the following sentences in active voice in the space provided below.

  • Julie’s dog was walked by her sister.
  • The party was attended by several well-known celebrities.
  • Lunch was eaten by the whole family.
  • A new contract was signed.
  • Our cars were washed thoroughly by the attendant.

Sample answer:

  • Julie’s sister walked Julie’sdog.
  • Several well-known celebrities attended the party.
  • The whole family ate lunch.
  • We signed a new contract.
  • The attendant thoroughly washed our cars.

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