Repairing a Run-On Sentence
Question
The library closes at nine the students rushed to finish their group project.
Answer choices
- nine the
- NO CHANGE
- nine, so the
- nine; the,
C Correct answer: C) nine, so the
Both halves are independent clauses. The cleanest fix that also preserves the cause-effect relationship is a comma plus the coordinating conjunction "so": "The library closes at nine, so the students rushed to finish their group project."
The other options either introduce a grammatical error or change the intended meaning. The ACT consistently rewards the most concise, grammatically correct option.
Read the sentence with each option substituted in. The version that preserves meaning while obeying the underlying rule is the correct answer; on the ACT, that is almost always the shortest option that still works.
The underlying rule
Two independent clauses joined with no punctuation form a run-on (or "fused sentence"). They must be separated with a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction.
Why each wrong answer is wrong
- A) nine the: This option leaves the run-on uncorrected or introduces a different punctuation error.
- B) NO CHANGE: This option leaves the run-on uncorrected or introduces a different punctuation error.
- D) nine; the,: This option leaves the run-on uncorrected or introduces a different punctuation error.
Study tip
Whenever a sentence has two independent clauses jammed together, your three options are: period, semicolon, or comma + FANBOYS. Pick the one that best matches the relationship between the ideas.
More Medium Sentence Structure
- Fixing a Comma SpliceThe storm rolled in quickly, we barely had time to bring in the lawn furniture.
- Identifying a Sentence FragmentAlthough the weather forecast predicted heavy rain. The crowd at the festival kept
- Parallel Structure in a ListThe job requires writing reports, attending meetings, and to manage a small team of
- Repairing a Run-On SentenceThe library closes at nine the students rushed to finish their group project.
- Combining with SubordinationThe painter finished her mural last week. It depicts the history of the neighborhoo