Comma Spices & Run-On

SentencesChapter 20

WHAT ARE THEY?

Comma splice = Comma fault

When a comma is used incorrectly between complete sentences.

Run-On Sentence = Fused sentence/Run-together sentence

Two complete sentences run into each other without any punctuation.

PRACTICE

The icebergs broke off from the glacier, they drifted into the sea.

COMMA SPLICE

The icebergs broke off from the glacier they drifted into the sea.

RUN-ON SENTENCE

The icebergs broke off from the glacier. They drifted into the sea.

CORRECT

EXCEPTION

When meaning allows, a colon or dash can be used to join two independent clauses.

RECOGNIZING “THEM”

Know an Independent Clause

Know a comma splice or run-on.

QUICK REFERENCE 20.1

THE CORRECTION

Use a period between the two sentences.

A shark is all cartilage. It does not have a bone in its body.

Use a semicolon between the two sentences.

The great white shark supposedly eats humans; research shows that most white sharks spit them out after the first bite.

Coordination &

Subordination

Important to Sentence Structuring

Definition

Reflect relationships between ideas being expressed.

Coordination shows the EQUALITY of ideas.

Subordination shows the value of one idea over the other.

Example

The sky turned dark gray. The wind died down.

COORDINATION:

The sky turned dark gray, and the wind died down.

SUBORDINATION 1 & 2:

As the sky turned dark gray, the wind died down. (Focus: the wind.)

As the wind died down, the sky turned dark gray. (Focus: the sky.)

What is sentence coordination?

Two or more INDEPENDENT CLAUSES are equivalent or balanced.

Example:

The sky turned brighter, and people emerged happily from buildings.

The sky turned brighter; people emerged happily from buildings.

Coordinate sentence = Compound sentence

Independent Clause/Meaning Conveyed:

, and

, but

, yet

, for

, or

, nor

, so

;

addition

mean contrast

reason or choice

a choice

negative choiceresult or effect

FANBOYS

Choosing a Coordination

The IDEAS must be related or equivalent!

Exercises 9-3/page 222

What is sentence subordination?

Important idea

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

Less Important Idea - Subordinate

DEPENDENT CLAUSE

Page 223 / 9J

The Structure of a Subordinate Sentence

Start with a Dependent Clause with a subordinating conjunction

OR

Relative Pronoun (who, which, that)

Example:

If they are very lucky, the passengers may glimpse dolphins breaking water playfully near the ship.

Pandas are solitary animals, which means they are difficult to protect from extinction.

QUICK REFERENCE – 9.f

Types of Dependent Clauses

Adverb Clause, independent clause.

After the sky grew dark, the wind died suddenly.

Independent Clause, Adverb Clause

Birds stopped singing, as they do during an eclipse.

Adverb/Adjective Clauses - Quick Reference 9.1/page 224

Exercise 9-4/page 225

Fragments w/Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating Conjunctions – Quick Reference 14.7.

Frequently used:

After

Although

Because

Before

If

Unless

When

EXERCISE 19-4/page 388.

PRACTICE

Exercise 19-4/388

Exercise 20-1/394

Exercise 20-2/396

Exercise 20-3/398

Exercise 20-4/399

Exercise 9-3/222

Exercise 9-4/225

CONJUCTIVE ADVERBS &Transitional Expressions

Link ideas between sentences.

A period or semicolon is required.

Include words such as However Therefore Also Next Then Furthermore NeverthelessQUICK REFERENCE 14.5

CONJUCTIVE ADVERBS ARE NOT COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS!!

And, but, etc – 20c3

PRACTICE

20-3/398

20-4/399