Avoiding Run-on Sentences, Comma Splices

Getting Your Punctuation Right!

, ;

What Does a Comma Signal?

A comma signals a pause. (It tells the reader to slow down briefly, but then keep going until the idea is completed.)

Because I like writing , I like this class.

What Do Periods & Semicolons Signal?

Semicolons and periods signal a full stop. Idea is complete.

I love writing . I love this class.

I love writing ; I love this class.

STOP!

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 writing 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 writing , we all love this class.

,

Separate them with a period, creating two complete sentences.

We all like writing .

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

We all love this class.

STOP

Now you try! Use a period to correct these run-ons and comma splices.

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

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

3. My new supervisor has been making all sorts of changes, she is really causing problems.

4. 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.

We like writing ;

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

we love this class.

STOP!

No caps!

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

Join the two sentences with a comma and one of the FANBOYS. (FOR, AND, NOR, BUT, OR, YET, SO)

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

Now you try! Use one of the FANBOYS to correct this run-on sentence.

1. I want a promotion I want more vacation days.

2. I want a promotion, and I want more vacation days.

Correct!

How Can I Correct Comma Splices and Run-ons? The FOURTH 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 writing, we all love this class.

Because we all like writing, we all love this class.

All students who like writing love this class.

dependent clause

dependent clause

comma splice

OK!

These are the subordinate conjunctions.

after although as because before even though if, even if in order that once provided that

since so that than that though unless when, whenever where, wherever, whereas whether while

Which is correct?

1. I have a back problem I usually go to a chiropractor.

2. I have a back problem, so I usually go to a chiropractor.

Which is correct?

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

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

Which is correct?

1. Tanya got an excellent grade on her test, She studied really hard.

2. Tanya got an excellent grade on her test; she studied really hard.

Which is correct?

1. I’m really good with punctuation because I have been practicing so much.

2. I’m really good with punctuation I have been practicing so much.

Which is correct?

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

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

Which is correct?

1. This grammar practice is useful; although, I sometimes wish we didn’t have to do so much of it.

2. This grammar practice is useful although I sometimes wish we didn’t have to do so much of it.

Which is correct?

1. I drive too fast on the freeway; as a result, I will get a ticket or maybe have an accident.

2. I drive too fast on the freeway I will get a ticket or maybe have an accident.

Which is correct?

1. Ali did not agree with the method he was taught, he found other means to solve the problem.

2. Ali did not agree with the method he was taught, so he found other means to solve the problem.

Which is correct?

1. Maria and John like tennis, but Karen does not.

2. Maria and John like tennis Karen does not.

Correct the following run-ons or comma splices1. Some people are friendly I like to talk to them.

2. Wearing uniforms is a good idea, it’s easier to get dressed in the morning.

3. Math is a hard subject you have to study every day.

4. She went to the mall, she went to the birthday party.

5. Kevin and his friend went for a walk it was a beautiful day.

6. Tom delivered newspapers in the rain he got very wet.

7. On Monday we went outside for a short break, it was fun

8. The kids had a snack they ate too much.

9. The show begins at 7:30 make sure you're there before 7:15.

The

END!

No more comma splices,

or run-on sentences ever

again!

You’ve got it!!!

Another Activity Americans use more energy per person than any other people in the world we have only 6 percent of the world’s population, however, we use about one-third of all the energy consumed on this globe. Our total national energy cost in 1975 amounted to about $170 billion, each year our energy needs are steadily rising most of the energy we use in the U.S. comes from crude oil because domestic production falls short of our needs, we have to import almost half of it. Expert estimates of our known and potential domestic reserves differ, we probably have somewhere between a 25- to 30-year supply of oil. If we continue using energy as we have become accustomed to, we could run out of domestic oil supplies in the year 2007, we may run out of natural gas even sooner. Energy demands and prices keep going up, therefore, the availability and future costs of supplies remain uncertain.