Run-ons
and
Comma Splices
Run-on
Nora loves chocolate she can’t
stop eating Hershey’s Kisses.
Comma Splice
Nora loves chocolate, she can’t
stop eating Hershey’s Kisses.
Nora loves chocolate. She can’t
stop eating Hershey’s Kisses.
The puppies still had their eyes
closed they were only two days old.
Run-on
The puppies still had their eyes
closed, they were only two days old.
Comma Splice
The puppies still had their eyes
closed. They were only two days old.
Run-on
The film had a lot of violence it
even showed a stabbing.
Comma Splice
The film had a lot of violence, it
even showed a stabbing.
The film had a lot of violence. It
even showed a stabbing.
The film had a lot of violence it even
showed a stabbing.
Nora loves chocolate she can’t stop
eating Hershey’s Kisses.
The puppies still had their eyes closed
they were only two days old.
Review: Types of Nouns (Subjects)
Concrete:
dog, house, keys,
popcorn, teeth, car,
computer, door, hat,
rug, leg, paper…
Abstract:
Proper:
Pronouns:
Chicago, Buick, Sue,
Hilton, Tiger Woods,
America, Target,
Robert, Nike, Sears…
I, you,
he, she, it
we, they
love, intelligence,
peace, anger, humor,
wisdom, worry, time,
jogging, laughing…
Causes of run-ons:
Group 1- personal pronouns
 it
I
 you
 she/he
 they
 we
1.The dark clouds gathered on the
horizon it started to rain.
2.My girlfriend is always angry with
me I can’t seem to keep her happy.
3.The rocks are slippery after it rains
you should wear your hiking boots.
4.The rescue worker ran inside the
burning building he never came out.
5.The soccer players were determined
to win the game they practiced eight
hours a day.
1.The dark clouds gathered on the
horizon. It started to rain.
2.My girlfriend is always angry with
me. I can’t seem to keep her happy.
3.The rocks are slippery after it rains.
You should wear your hiking boots.
4.The rescue worker ran inside the
burning building. He never came out.
5.The soccer players were determined
to win the game. They practiced eight
hours a day.
The teacher didn’t comment on my
essay that really upset me.
Run-on
The teacher didn’t comment on my
essay, that really upset me.
Comma Splice
The teacher didn’t comment on my
essay. That really upset me.
Run-on
The bus workers are on strike again
this means I will have to walk to school.
Comma Splice
The bus workers are on strike again,
this means I will have to walk to school.
The bus workers are on strike again.
This means I will have to walk to school.
Run-on
This library is poorly designed
there are not enough tables.
Comma Splice
This library is poorly designed,
there are not enough tables.
This library is poorly designed.
There are not enough tables.
Causes of run-ons:
Group 2: demonstrative pronouns
 this
 that
 these
 those
 there
1. My girlfriend decided to take one year
off from college that was a mistake.
2. The building shifted in the last earthquake
this caused the city to condemn it.
3. I cancelled my cable subscription there
are too many channels, and I spend all my
time watching television.
4. My mother bought jelly donuts those are
my favorite.
5. Everyone should arrive early there will be
a reception before the ceremony.
6. Mr. Ortis reported seeing the child at
recess that was the last time she was seen.
1. My girlfriend decided to take one year
off from college. That was a mistake.
2. The building shifted in the last earthquake.
This caused the city to condemn it.
3. I cancelled my cable subscription. There
are too many channels, and I spend all my
time watching television.
4. My mother bought jelly donuts. Those are
my favorite.
5. Everyone should arrive early. There will be
a reception before the ceremony.
6. Mr. Ortis reported seeing the child at
recess. That was the last time she was seen.
Run-on
First we washed the car then we
waxed it.
Comma Splice
First we washed the car, then we
waxed it.
First we washed the car. Then we
waxed it.
Run-on
Now we should study for history
later we can study our math.
Comma Splice
Now we should study for history,
later we can study our math.
Now we should study for history.
Later we can study our math.
Run-on
Before dinner, we had appetizers
after we had dessert.
Comma Splice
Before dinner, we had appetizers,
after, we had dessert.
Before dinner, we had appetizers.
After, we had dessert.
Causes of run-ons:
Group 3: time-sequence words
 then
 now
 next
 later
 after
 second
1. Joan put on her make-up then she got
dressed.
2. Earlier, the police arrested a new suspect
later they released him for lack of evidence.
3. The professor listed the formulas on the
board then she erased them.
4. Before his inspection, the mechanic saw
nothing wrong with my car, after he found
a cracked gasket.
5. At first, the festival was calm and pleasant,
later it turned into a riot.
6. Finally, the doctor called, now we can leave.
1. Joan put on her make-up. Then she got
dressed.
2. Earlier, the police arrested a new suspect.
Later they released him for lack of evidence.
3. The professor listed the formulas on the
board. Then she erased them.
4. Before his inspection, the mechanic saw
nothing wrong with my car. After, he found
a cracked gasket.
5. At first, the festival was calm and pleasant.
Later it turned into a riot.
6. Finally, the doctor called. Now we can leave.
Comma Splice
My cell phone has a security code,
however my brother managed
to retrieve my messages.
My cell phone has a security code.
However , my brother managed
to retrieve my messages.
Comma Splice
The police secured the murder scene,
in addition they stationed police
cars in front of the house.
The police secured the murder scene.
In addition , they stationed police
cars in front of the house.
My mother forgot to send her tax return
by April 14th, therefore she had to
Comma Splice
pay a fine.
My mother forgot to send her tax return
by April 14th. Therefore , she had to
pay a fine.
Causes of run-ons:
Group 4: transitional words
 however
 on the other hand
 instead
 in addition
 also
 furthermore
 therefore
1. Anna used a cleanser on the bathtub
however, she couldn’t remove the
stains.
2. Judge Judy sentenced the man to 30
days in jail, furthermore, she made
him do community service.
3. I forgot to oil the chain on my
mountain bike, as a result, the chain
slipped off on the trail.
1. Anna used a cleanser on the bathtub.
However, she couldn’t remove the
stains.
2. Judge Judy sentenced the man to 30
days in jail. Furthermore, she made
him do community service.
3. I forgot to oil the chain on my
mountain bike. As a result, the chain
slipped off on the trail.