Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Effective communication relies heavily on grammatically correct sentence structure. Run-on sentences, where independent clauses are joined incorrectly, can obscure meaning and hinder comprehension. The given sentence, "he had not paid his bill, his electricity was cut off," exemplifies this issue. It presents two complete thoughts without proper connection. Correcting such sentences requires understanding the relationship between the clauses and employing appropriate grammatical tools to establish clarity and flow. This response will analyze the sentence and provide several grammatically sound alternatives.
Identifying the Error
The original sentence contains two independent clauses: "he had not paid his bill" and "his electricity was cut off." These clauses are incorrectly joined only by a comma, creating a comma splice – a common type of run-on sentence. The relationship between the clauses is one of cause and effect: the failure to pay the bill resulted in the electricity being cut off.
Correcting the Sentence
There are several ways to correct this sentence, each with slightly different nuances:
1. Using a Coordinating Conjunction
Coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) can connect independent clauses when preceded by a comma. In this case, "so" is the most appropriate conjunction:
- Corrected Sentence: He had not paid his bill, so his electricity was cut off.
2. Using a Semicolon
A semicolon can connect two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction:
- Corrected Sentence: He had not paid his bill; his electricity was cut off.
3. Making Two Separate Sentences
The two clauses can be separated into two distinct sentences:
- Corrected Sentence: He had not paid his bill. His electricity was cut off.
4. Using a Subordinating Conjunction
A subordinating conjunction (because, since, as, although, etc.) can create a complex sentence, showing the relationship between the clauses more explicitly:
- Corrected Sentence: Because he had not paid his bill, his electricity was cut off.
- Corrected Sentence: As he had not paid his bill, his electricity was cut off.
Analyzing the Options
Each correction is grammatically valid. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and flow. Using "so" is concise and directly indicates the cause-and-effect relationship. A semicolon provides a stronger connection between the clauses than separate sentences. Subordinating conjunctions offer the most explicit explanation of the relationship, but can make the sentence slightly longer.
| Correction Method | Corrected Sentence | Emphasis |
|---|---|---|
| Coordinating Conjunction ("so") | He had not paid his bill, so his electricity was cut off. | Concise, direct cause-and-effect |
| Semicolon | He had not paid his bill; his electricity was cut off. | Strong connection between related ideas |
| Separate Sentences | He had not paid his bill. His electricity was cut off. | Clear separation of ideas |
| Subordinating Conjunction ("because") | Because he had not paid his bill, his electricity was cut off. | Explicit cause-and-effect explanation |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the original sentence is a run-on sentence due to a comma splice. Several corrections are possible, including using a coordinating conjunction ("so"), a semicolon, creating separate sentences, or employing a subordinating conjunction. The most appropriate correction depends on the desired stylistic effect and the level of emphasis on the cause-and-effect relationship. Demonstrating a grasp of these grammatical principles is crucial for clear and effective written communication.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.