Comma Splices
&
Run-ons
COMMA SPLICE:
2 sentences joined
with a comma
Comma Splice
Sentence
,
sentence.
Spliced sentences
I was late for work
,
my boss was angry.
Example:
sentence 1
comma splice
Flying can be dangerous
,
train travel seems much safer .
sentence 2
Another Example:
sentence 1
comma splice
School has been canceled today
students have the day off.
sentence 2
,
Another Example:
sentence 1
comma splice
,
I was late for work this morning
my boss was angry at me again.
sentence 2
Comma Splice
To “splice” means to join the ends of 2 items
Spliced
Comma Splice
Film is often spliced when a scene is
cut from a movie
Spliced
NOT “comma slice”
NOT “comma spice”
It’s a comma splice.
A comma is too weak to join
sentences.
Sentence
Sentence
Yep, I’m pretty weak!!
These sentences are
too much!!
Comma splices are
serious sentence
errors
Just say
NO to
comma
splices
A Final Example:
sentence 1
comma splice
,
Craco is a city in Italy earthquakes
caused residents to abandon it in 1963.
sentence 2
RO
A Run-on Sentence
is…
Run-on!
joining 2 complete sentences
with nothing in between
Run-on sentences are
not necessarily long.
I never fly I always take the train.
Run-on!
sentence 1
nothing here
School has been canceled today
students have the day off.
sentence 2
Run-on
sentence
Run-on
sentence
sentence 1
nothing here
Many students are sleep deprived
sleeping in class is not a good idea.
sentence 2
sentence 1
Run-on
sentence
nothing here
Barbeque sauce contains a lot of sugar
it’s like pancake syrup on your food.
sentence 2
Q
Q: What is the
difference between a
comma splice
and a
run-on sentence?
A: a comma!
Nothing
A comma between 2between
sentences = commathe
splice
sentences
,
School has been canceled today
students have the day off.
Comma
Run-onsplice
sentence
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3, 4
Four solutions to
correct run-ons and
comma splices.
#
1
Use a semi-colon.
Sentence
;
sentence.
1: Use a semi-colon.
A semi-colon (;) can be used between
2 closely related sentences.
;
School has been canceled today
students have the day off.
1: Use a semi-colon.
2 closely related sentences.
Flying can be dangerous
;
train travel seems much safer.
.
#
2
Use a period.
.
Sentence
Sentence.
2: Use a period.
A period (.) creates
2 shorter sentences.
.
I was late for work this morning
My boss was angry at me again.
CC
3
#
Use a
coordinating
conjunction.
FANBOYS
(for / and / nor / but / or / yet / so )
3. Use a
coordinating conjunction
Sentence, and sentence.
Note the use of
a comma here
, but
, or
, so
, yet
, nor
3. Use a
coordinating conjunction
Follow this pattern:
Sentence , and sentence.
I was late for work this morning , so
and
my boss was angry at me again.
3. Use a
coordinating conjunction
I never fly
, but
I never fly
, for I always take the train.
I never fly
, and
I always take the train.
I always take the train.
DC
#
4
Make one sentence a
dependent clause.
4: Make one sentence a
dependent clause.
Dependent clause, sentence.
or
Sentence dependent clause.
4: Make one sentence a
dependent clause.
A dependent clause
begins with a
subordinating conjunction.
4: Make one sentence a
dependent clause.
Run-on
Because
barbeque
sauce
contains
a lot
sugar,
Barbeque
sauce
contains
a lot
ofofsugar
it’s like pancake syrup on your food.
Dependent clause, sentence.
4: Make one sentence a
dependent clause.
Dependent clause, sentence.
While
Many
many
students
students
areare
sleep
sleep
deprived
deprived,
sleeping in class is not a good idea.
4: Make one sentence a
dependent clause.
Sentence dependent clause.
I never fly since I always travel by train.
challenge
Comma Splices and Run-on sentences
CHALLENGE!
Q: Is this a
comma splice or a run-on?
Although it rained all
weekend, the campers
had fun the campfire even
stayed lit long enough to
roast marshmallows.
A: It’s a run-on!
Although it rained all
weekend, the campers
had fun the campfire even
stayed lit long enough to
roast marshmallows.
Correcting the run-on
Although itit rained
rained all
all
Although
weekend, the
the campers
campers had
had
weekend,
fun
fun.
the
The
campfire
campfire
even
even
fun; the campfire even
stayed lit long enough to
stayed lit long enough to
roast marshmallows.
roast marshmallows.
Q: Comma splice or a run-on?
After finding our seats, we all
fell asleep, everyone was tired.
A: It’s a comma
splice
After finding our
seats, we all fell
asleep, everyone was
This comma joins
tired.
2 sentences
Correcting the comma
splice
After finding our
seats, we all fell
asleep; everyone
was tired.
Correcting the comma
splice
After finding our
seats, we all fell
asleep because
everyone was tired.
Q: How can this run-on sentence
be corrected?
I drank too much
coffee at work this
morning I have been
talking very fast.
A: Use a semicolon
“I drank too much
coffee
coffee at
at work
work;this
this
morning;IIhave
havebeen
been talking
very
talking
very fast.”
fast.”
A: Make 2 sentences
“I
“I drank
drank too
too much
much
coffee. atAtwork
coffee
workthis
this
morning. II have
have
morning,
been talking
talking very
very
been
fast.”
fast.”
A: Make a dependent clause
“Because I drank too
much coffee at work
this morning, I have
been talking very
fast.”
A: Lay off the coffee!!
Thanks!!!
I’ll finish this cup
and then do some
yoga!!!
Q: Where can this sentence
be divided?
The students waited
in the classroom
for 30 minutes no
one showed up.
A: Here or here!
The students waited
in the classroom
for 30 minutes
no one showed up.
Make 2 sentences
The students waited
in the classroom.
Fffor 30 minutes
no one showed up.
Use a coordinating conjunction
The students waited
in the classroom
for 30 minutes,but
but
no one showed up.
Make a dependent clause
Although
AlthoughTtthe
students waited in
the classroom for 30
minutes , no one
showed up.
Comma splices and Run-on sentences
REVIEW
4 ways to fix
comma splices & run-on sentences
Use a semicolon:
Use a period:
Sentence; sentence.
Sentence. Sentence
Use a
coordinating conjunction:
Use a
Dependent Clause:
Sentence, and sentence.
, but
, or
Dependent clause, sentence.
by:
A. Campbell
Now that you know
what they are…
Avoid comma splices and
run-ons in your writing!