Run-On Sentences and Comma Splice Errors:
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COMMA SPLICES AND RUN ON SENTENCES Taken from: http://www.uvsc.edu/owl/handouts/commas.html
Both comma splices and run-on sentences are serious writing errors because they indicate the writer does not understand sentence structure. It is important to learn how to identify and correct them.
Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions can be used to fix both types of sentence errors. It's important to know what they are. You can remember the seven coordinating conjunctions with the acronym fanboys
for and nor but or yet so
1. What is a Comma Splice?
A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses (complete sentences) are joined together by a comma without a coordinating conjunction. Example: I bought a gas grill two weeks ago, I cook on it every day. Both clauses are independent clauses. In other words, they could both stand alone as complete sentences.
I bought a gas grill two weeks ago.
I cook on it every day.
Punctuation Rule: Two independent clauses CANNOT be joined by a comma; instead, they must be joined by either a coordinating conjunction and a comma, or a semi-colon without the conjunction. The two clauses may also be separated by a period.
Fixing the problem
A run-on sentence occurs when two independent clauses are joined without any punctuation or conjunction. Example: I love grammar I want to be a grammar teacher. Both clauses are independent clauses.
I love grammar.
I want to be a grammar teacher.
Punctuation rule: Two independent clauses MUST be joined by either a comma and a coordinating conjunction or a semi-colon. The two clauses may also be separated by a period. They cannot be placed together without either punctuation or a conjunction.
Fixing the problem
Both comma splices and run-on sentences are serious writing errors because they indicate the writer does not understand sentence structure. It is important to learn how to identify and correct them.
Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions can be used to fix both types of sentence errors. It's important to know what they are. You can remember the seven coordinating conjunctions with the acronym fanboys
for and nor but or yet so
1. What is a Comma Splice?
A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses (complete sentences) are joined together by a comma without a coordinating conjunction. Example: I bought a gas grill two weeks ago, I cook on it every day. Both clauses are independent clauses. In other words, they could both stand alone as complete sentences.
I bought a gas grill two weeks ago.
I cook on it every day.
Punctuation Rule: Two independent clauses CANNOT be joined by a comma; instead, they must be joined by either a coordinating conjunction and a comma, or a semi-colon without the conjunction. The two clauses may also be separated by a period.
Fixing the problem
- Example: I bought a gas grill two weeks ago, and I cook on it every day. (In this example the clauses are joined by a comma and the coordinating conjunction and)
- Example: I bought a gas grill two weeks ago; I cook on it every day. (In this example the clauses are joined by a semi-colon)
- Example: I bought a gas grill two weeks ago. I cook on it every day. (In this example the clauses are separated by a period.)
A run-on sentence occurs when two independent clauses are joined without any punctuation or conjunction. Example: I love grammar I want to be a grammar teacher. Both clauses are independent clauses.
I love grammar.
I want to be a grammar teacher.
Punctuation rule: Two independent clauses MUST be joined by either a comma and a coordinating conjunction or a semi-colon. The two clauses may also be separated by a period. They cannot be placed together without either punctuation or a conjunction.
Fixing the problem
- Example: I love grammar, so I want to be a grammar teacher. (In this example, the clauses are joined by a comma and the coordinating conjunction so)
- Example: I love grammar; I want to be a grammar teacher. (In this example, the clauses are joined by a semi-colon.)
- Example: I love grammar. I want to be a grammar teacher. (In this example, the clauses are separated by a period.)