Avoiding Run-on Sentences, Comma Splices, and Fragments

Getting Your Punctuation

Right!

, ;

Let’s Review: What makes a complete sentence?

It is a long fancy word, but an independent clause is simply a complete sentence. It CAN stand alone. A complete sentence has three essentials.

It has: a subject (noun) a predicate (verb) and a complete thought! Example: The sun shines brightly.

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE= SUBJECT + PREDICATE

Is your sentence also a complete thought?

What then is a dependent clause? A dependent clause

is a phrase that cannot stand alone.

You’ll often be able to recognize a dependent clause because many begin with a SUBORDINATE CONJUNCTION

STOP!

Common Subordinating Conjunctions

after since

when Although so that whenever

as supposing

where because than whereas before

that Wherever but that though whether if Though which in order While lest Unless who

no matter until why how What even though

How to punctuate sentences with subordinating conjunctions

Beginning of a sentence When you have a dependent clause at the

beginning of the sentence, you ALWAYS have to add a comma after it.

  As soon as it stopped raining, we saw a double

rainbow.

Dependent , + Independent

How to punctuate sentences with subordinating conjunctions

End of a sentence If you have a dependent clause in the back/end of

the sentence, you DO NOT USUALLY need a comma.*

  We saw a double rainbow as soon as it stopped

raining. Independent + Dependent

*On occasion you will need a comma when a dependent clause is at the end of the sentence, but that depends on style and clarity. For example, when the dependent clause starts with “which” or “especially.”

How to punctuate sentences with subordinating conjunctions

 Middle of a sentence When you have a dependent clause in the middle

of a sentence, you need commas on both sides of the dependent clause. *

Frank, who loves to travel, will be our guide. Sub, + Dependent, + Predicate

What Is a Run-on Sentence? A run-on is when you put two

complete sentences together without any punctuation in between.

We all like grammar we all love this class.

Run-on

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.

,

Separate them with a period, creating two complete sentences.

We all like grammar .

How Can I Correct Comma Splices and Run-ons? The 1st way is to…

We all love this class.

STOP

Now you try! Use a period to correct these run-ons and comma splices. These punctuation rules aren’t hard I

know how to avoid run-ons. These punctuation rules aren’t 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.

Correct!

Correct!

Link them with a semicolon; this creates two complete sentences just as a period does, but the second sentence doesn’t start with a capital letter.

The sentences MUST be related in order to use a semicolon.

We like grammar ;

How Can I Correct Comma Splices and Run-ons? The 2nd way is to…

we love this class.

STOP!

No caps!

How Can I Correct Comma Splices and Run-ons? The 3rd way is to… Join the two sentences with a comma

and one of the COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS. (FOR, AND, NOR, BUT, OR, YET, SO)

We all like grammar , and we all love this class.

Now you try! Use one of the FANBOYS to correct this run-on sentence. I want a raise I want more vacation

days. I want a raise, and I want more

vacation days.Correct!

How Can I Correct Comma Splices and Run-ons? The 4th way is to…

End the first sentence with a semicolon and begin the second with a conjunctive adverb or transitional.

• We like grammar ; therefore, we love this class.

STOP

Now you try! Use a semicolon and a transitional word like therefore or however to correct this comma splice. I’m not going to give up, however, I

do sometimes get discouraged. I’m not going to give up; however, I

do sometimes get discouraged.Correct!

How Can I Correct Comma Splices and Run-ons? The last way 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.dependent clause

dependent clausecomma splice

OK!

Main Cause of Sentence Errors Confusing the Different Kinds of

Joining Words. Refer to your handbook or the

punctuation summary on the GAS website if you aren’t sure which kind of word it is and what punctuation is needed. STOPSTOP

Let’s try a few, just to make sure you can catch any punctuation errors!

Which is correct? I understand run-ons, however, I’m

still having trouble with comma splices.

I understand run-ons; however, I’m still having trouble with comma splices.

Which is correct? I have always wanted to move to

California. The weather in California is amazing.

I have always wanted to move to California, the weather in California is amazing.

Which is correct?

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

I’ve been given a number of new duties; for example, I now have to do all the filing.

Which is correct? This grammar practice is useful; I

sometimes wish we didn’t have to do so much of it.

Although I sometimes wish we didn’t have to do so much of it, this grammar practice is useful.

The

END!

No more fragments,

comma splices, or run-on

sentences ever again!

You’ve got it!