Is the sentence correct?
Heidi had a dog, and he was named Rocky, and Heidi liked to play with him.
Answer: I think it should be
Rocky was the dog's name, he belonged to Heidi, who liked to play with him.
This sentence is much too wordy.
How about --
Heidi liked to play with her dog, Rocky.
In addition to being terribly wordy, your correction includes a run-on.
Ms. Sue's sentence avoids the run-on AND the wordiness!
To determine if a sentence is correct or not, we need to consider grammar, clarity, and style.
Regarding your suggested revision, both the original sentence and your revision are grammatically correct. However, the choice between them depends on personal preference and emphasis.
The original sentence structure "Heidi had a dog, and he was named Rocky, and Heidi liked to play with him" is perfectly acceptable and straightforward. It clearly states that Heidi had a dog named Rocky and that Heidi liked to play with him.
Your suggested revision, "Rocky was the dog's name, he belonged to Heidi, who liked to play with him," rearranges the information and focuses on the name and ownership before mentioning Heidi's interaction with the dog. This revision maintains clarity and conveys the same information, but simply alters the sentence structure to highlight different aspects.
Ultimately, both versions are grammatically correct, and the choice between them should be based on which one effectively conveys the intended meaning and style.