Avoiding Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

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Avoiding Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices
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What does a comma signal?

• A comma signals a pause. (It tells the reader to
  slow down briefly but then keep going until the
  thought is completed.)
• I like grammar , and I like this class.
• Because I like grammar , I like this class.

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What do periods and semicolons signal?

• Semicolons and periods signal a full stop. The
  idea is complete.
• I love grammar . I love this class.
• I love grammar I love this class.

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What is a run-on sentence?

• A run-on is a sentence error caused by running
  one sentence into another without putting any
  punctuation in between.
• We all like grammar we all love this class.

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What is a comma splice?

• A comma splice is a sentence error caused by
  putting just a poor, weak comma between two
  complete sentences.
• We all like grammar , we all love this class.

,
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The first way to correct comma splices and
run-ons is to

• separate them with a period, creating two
  complete sentences.
• We all like grammar.

We all love this class.
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Now you try! Use a period to correct these
run-ons and comma splices.

• These punctuation rules arent hard I know how to
  avoid run-ons.
• These punctuation rules arent hard. I know how
  to avoid run-ons.
• My new supervisor has been making all sorts of
  changes, she is really causing problems.
• My new supervisor has been making all sorts of
  changes. She is really causing problems.

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The second way to correct comma splices and
run-ons is to

• Link them with a semicolon this creates two
  complete sentences just as a period does, but the
  second sentence doesnt start with a capital
  letter.
• We like grammar

we love this class.
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Now you try! Use a semicolon to correct these
run-ons and comma splices.

• I know what I have to do to succeed in school I
  just have to find the time to do it.
• I know what I have to do to succeed in school I
  just have to find the time to do it.
• Doing the work is easy, its finding the time
  that is so hard.
• Doing the work is easy its finding the time
  that is so hard.

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The third way to correct comma splices and
run-ons is to

• end the first clause with a semicolon and begin
  the second with a conjunctive adverb or
  transitional.
• We like grammar

therefore, we love this class.
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Now you try! Use a semicolon and a transitional
word like therefore or however to correct these
run-ons and comma splices.

• Ive studied my grammar book carefully I wont
  have any problems on this quiz.
• Ive studied my grammar book carefully
  therefore, I wont have trouble on this quiz.
• Im not going to give up, however, I do sometimes
  get discouraged.
• Im not going to give up however, I do sometimes
  get discouraged.

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The fourth way to correct comma splices and
run-ons is to

• join the two sentences with a comma and one of
  the FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
• We all like grammar , and we all love this
  class.

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Now you try! Use one of the FANBOYS to correct
these run-ons and comma splices.

• I want a raise I want more vacation days.
• I want a raise, and I want more vacation days.
• I want a raise, I dont want any more
  responsibilities.
• I want a raise, but I dont want any more
  responsibilities.

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The last way to correct comma splices and run-ons
is to

• join the two separate sentences into one with a
  subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun.
• We all like grammar, we all love this class.
• Because we all like grammar, we all love this
  class.
• All students who like grammar love this class.

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Now you try! Use a subordinating conjunction like
although or a relative pronoun like which to
correct these run-ons and comma splices.

• We are going to give it a try we dont know if it
  will work.
• We are going to give it a try although we dont
  know if it will work.
• Im struggling but finally beginning to
  understand, this is making me happy.
• Im struggling but finally beginning to
  understand, which is making me happy.

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The main cause of sentence errors

• confusing the different kinds of joining words
• Refer to Chapters 10 and 11 in Foundations First
  if you arent sure which kind of word it is and
  what punctuation is needed.

Comma
STOP
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Lets try a few, just to make sure you can catch
any punctuation errors!
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Which is correct?

• I understand run-ons, however, Im still having
  trouble with comma splices.
• I understand run-ons however, Im still having
  trouble with comma splices.

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Which is correct?

• Im really good with punctuation because I have
  been practicing so much.
• Im really good with punctuation because I have
  been practicing so much.

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Which is correct?

• I waited for the bus, it took nearly twenty
  minutes to arrive.
• I waited for the bus, which took nearly twenty
  minutes to arrive.

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Which is correct?

• Ive been given a number of new duties, for
  example, I now have to do all the filing.
• Ive been given a number of new duties for
  example, I now have to do all the filing.

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Which is correct?

• The performers are attractive, talented, and
  likable its too bad the script is terrible.
• The performers are attractive, talented, and
  likable, its too bad the script is terrible.

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Which is correct?

• This grammar practice is useful although, I
  sometimes wish we didnt have to do so much of
  it.
• This grammar practice is useful although I
  sometimes wish we didnt have to do so much of
  it.

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Which is correct?

• This grammar practice is useful in fact, I wish
  we could do more of it.
• This grammar practice is useful, in fact, I wish
  we could do more of it.

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Youve got it!
No more comma splices or run-on sentences ever
again!
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To review how to avoid run-on sentences and comma
splices, see Chapters 14 and 15.