Question

Xamine this text.

Juan tried to finish his book on time he left two chapters unread.
Which of the following fixes this run-on sentence without changing the meaning?
A) Juan tried to finish his book on time.
B) Juan tried to finish his book on time. He left two chapters unread.
C) Juan tried to finish his book on time but left two chapters unread; he did not have time to finish.
D) Tried to finish his book on time but left two chapters unread.

Answer 1

To fix the run-on sentence "Juan tried to finish his book on time he left two chapters unread," the best options are B) adding a period to create separate sentences, and C) using the coordinating conjunction 'but' with a semicolon for a compound sentence. Both solutions split the original run-on into independent clauses that are grammatically correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

The sentence presented by the student is a run-on sentence, which is an error that occurs when two independent clauses (complete sentences) are not properly separated by punctuation or conjunctions. To fix the run-on sentence, one of the options is to add a period, creating two separate sentences. Therefore, the correct option is:

B) Juan tried to finish his book on time. He left two chapters unread.

This option splits the run-on sentence into two distinct sentences, each with its own subject and verb, and corrects the error. Options that add coordinating conjunctions, such as 'but', also fix the run-on. Thus, another correct option is:

C) Juan tried to finish his book on time but left two chapters unread; he did not have time to finish.

This uses a coordinating conjunction ('but') and a semicolon to join related independent clauses, forming a compound sentence that maintains the original meaning without being grammatically incorrect.

Answer 2

The correct option that fixes the run-on sentence without changing the meaning is C) Juan tried to finish his book on time but left two chapters unread; he did not have time to finish.

Step-by-step explanation:

The original sentence is a run-on sentence, as it combines two independent clauses without proper punctuation or conjunction. Option C provides the necessary correction by using a semicolon to connect the related independent clauses, maintaining the coherence and meaning of the text.

The revised sentence, "Juan tried to finish his book on time but left two chapters unread; he did not have time to finish," effectively addresses the run-on structure by introducing appropriate punctuation and maintaining the logical flow of the narrative. The use of "but" as a coordinating conjunction helps establish the relationship between Juan's attempt to finish the book and the reason he left two chapters unread.

This correction not only resolves the grammatical issue but also ensures clarity and coherence in expressing Juan's efforts and the ultimate outcome. The conjunction "but" emphasizes the contrast between Juan's attempt and the challenges he faced, providing a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the situation.