Final answer:
To ensure clarity and correctness in writing, it's important to understand comma usage, particularly when connecting independent clauses or separating elements in a list. Sentence errors like fragments, comma splices, and run-on sentences can complicate readability, but sentence fragments can intentionally add style when context is clear.
Step-by-step explanation:
Comma Usage and Sentence Correction
To ensure clear and correct writing, comma usage is essential in sentence structuring. For instance, when connecting two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet), a comma should precede the conjunction if the sentence could be split into two complete sentences. In contrast, commas are not needed when the sentence is composed of dependent and independent clauses without a conjunction that would allow the clauses to stand alone as separate sentences.
Considering the review questions provided regarding comma usage, here are the corrected sentences:
- I finally found my keys, and I got to work just in time.
- Mrs. Contreras threw out her old coffee table and cleaned the carpet.
- Taking the elevator to the roof, we hoped we could see the skyline and the bay.
- Though Susan wasn't feel well, she went to the store anyway and bought ice cream, pizza, and candy.
- I let my neighbor borrow my phone because she said hers was tapped by the police.
Sentence fragments, on the other hand, do not express a complete thought and can lead to unclear writing. It's important to ensure that every sentence contains at least a subject and a predicate.
Sentence errors can include fragments, comma splices, run-on sentences, and mixed constructions, which all conflate clarity. However, when used deliberately, sentence fragments can add style to writing, providing the context is well understood by the reader. Reviewing and revising sentence structure can prevent these common mistakes and enhance the readability of your writing.