The Writing Center
Directed Learning Activities
Comma Splices and Run-Ons
Student Name:
Date:
Instructor:
Course:
IMPORTANT NOTE: All the activities (4) in this DLA must be completed in their entirety before
meeting with a tutor and receiving credit. Where indicated, complete your work on this sheet.
Objectives: Through computer activities and other independent work, this activity will familiarize you
with comma splices and run-ons and help you practice finding and correcting these common sentence
errors.
Understanding Comma Splices and Run-Ons
Terms to review before thinking about comma splices and run-ons:
1) Clause: a group of words that includes a subject and verb
2) Independent clause: a group of words that has a subject and verb and can stand alone (also
known as a complete sentence; a group of words that expresses a complete thought)
3) Dependent clause: a group of words that has a subject and verb but cannot stand alone because it
also has either a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun attached to it
4) Coordination: the act of connecting two independent clauses with a comma and a coordinating
conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so—FANBOYS) or a semicolon in order to show a
specific relationship between their respective ideas
5) Subordination: the act of connecting two independent clauses with a subordinating conjunction
(before, as, after, although, when, while, even though, whereas, until, unless) in order to show a
specific relationship between their respective ideas
Common structural errors that can occur when coordinating independent clauses:
A run-on (a.k.a. a fused sentence) occurs when a writer shows no separation between her/his
independent clauses.
Example: My sister is a hairstylist she works in the city of Orange.
A comma splice occurs when a writer shows separation by using a comma but forgets to use one of
the coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) to show the relationship to be understood between the
independent clauses.
Example: Dogs are one of the best pets a person can have, they are loving and loyal.
How do you find comma splices and run-ons in your own writing?
Sometimes finding comma splices and run-ons in our own writing can be tricky. Here are a
couple methods to help you begin finding these errors in your own work:

Read your paper out loud, beginning with the last sentence. Do any of the sentences seem
incorrect? Check to see if they are joined correctly (see options 1 – 5 below).
DLA: Comma Splices and Run-Ons 2


Look at the commas you have used. Do any of them have complete sentences on each side
without FANBOYS (comma splice)?
Look for any lengthy sentences. Do any of them have more than one independent clause with
no separation (run-on)?
Here are four easy ways to join your independent clauses correctly. It's a good idea to practice
using all of the possibilities so that you will be able to vary your sentence types.
1) Period (.)
A period is the most common way to show a reader where one sentence (independent clause) ends and
another one begins.
DLAs are a great way to improve writing skills. Many students have seen vast
improvements in their writing after completing them.
2) Comma (,) + a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)
These are the coordinating conjunctions, which are the only seven words you can use to connect two
independent clauses when using a comma: For And Nor But Or Yet So
Zombies may take over the world, and there may be nothing we can do about it.
My sister is a hairstylist, so I get my hair done often.
The Writing Center is a great place for students, for it helps them improve their writing.
Note: Don’t confuse this with a compound verb. For example, “The dog ran and barked” is a simple
sentence with a compound verb; it is not a compound sentence because there is only one subject “dog.”
It has a compound verb because the dog is doing two things: running and barking.
3) Semicolon (;)
For a more formal, academic approach, use the semicolon in this way when the relationship between the
ideas is implicit or understood without a conjunctive word (or words).
When you use the semicolon, you can think of it as a piece of stacked punctuation: the top half acts like
a period that stops the first independent clause while the comma in the bottom half tells the reader that
the second clause is related to the first. This will help us remember that we are still showing separation
and relationship.
American Horror Story is an interesting series; the plotline changes each season.
4) Semicolon (;) + conjunctive adverb + comma (,)
When you use a conjunctive adverb while coordinating, be sure to 1) use a semicolon before the
conjunctive adverb 2) choose the conjunctive adverb showing the appropriate relationship 3) place a
comma after the conjunctive adverb (if it is more than one syllable [with the exception of hence and
first]). Here are a few common conjunctive adverbs: however, otherwise, in addition, furthermore,
therefore, consequently, nevertheless, on the other hand, first.
The Writing Center
Building 26B, Room 1561
(909) 274-5325
http://www.mtsac.edu/writingcenter/
DLA: Comma Splices and Run-Ons 3
Using a conjunctive adverb makes the formal connection of the semicolon's relationship explicitly
understood. For a detailed list of some of these words and the relationships they show, refer to the
"Words That Show Relationships" handout.
It is not easy being a college student; in fact, many students suffer from stress and anxiety.
5) Subordination
When you use a dependent clause with an independent clause, you are using subordination. When you
subordinate, you are telling your reader that your dependent clause is under (as the prefix “sub-”
suggests) or less important than your independent clause. Here are a few common subordinating
conjunctions: after, although, if, until, when, as, because, since, before, even though, while.
When you place the dependent clause before the independent clause, remember to place a comma before
the independent clause begins:
Because Kathy likes to help members of her community, she decided to feed the homeless
on Thanksgiving Day.
When the dependent clause comes after the independent clause, do not use a comma.
Kathy decided to feed the homeless on Thanksgiving Day because she likes to help
members of her community.
Activities (approximately 1 hour): Follow the steps below and be prepared to explain your answers
when you meet with a tutor. Check off each box once you have completed the activity.
 1.
Open up a web browser and click on http://depts.dyc.edu/learningcenter/owl/exercises/runons_ex1.htm and complete Run-On Sentences-Exercise 1. Then click on
http://depts.dyc.edu/learningcenter/owl/exercises/comma_splices_ex1.htm and complete
Comma Splices-Exercise 1. You must score at least 80% on each exercise. Once the lessons are
complete, print the pages. If you are in the lab, there is no charge for printing these activities, so
ask a lab technician for assistance with printing. If you have any other questions, do not hesitate
to ask a lab tutor.
 2.
Review the information above on comma splices and run-ons. Then answer the following
questions.
What is a comma splice?
What is a run-on?
The Writing Center
Building 26B, Room 1561
(909) 274-5325
http://www.mtsac.edu/writingcenter/
DLA: Comma Splices and Run-Ons 4
What is the difference between a comma splice and a run-on?
______________
 3.
Look at the following complaint sent to the customer service department at a photo studio and
identify the comma splice and run-on errors. Then fixing each, write a revised paragraph on a
separate sheet of paper or on a Word document.
I’m writing to you because I received poor service at your photo studio. I have a family of four,
also we recently welcomed a new baby to our family. We visited your studio to take photos of our
newborn however you took pictures of the whole family. When we received the photos, there were no
photos of the newborn. I love my son and husband nevertheless my goal during this visit was to capture
my daughter’s early weeks of life. I went to the photo studio and asked for a refund or compensation in
some way, yet no recompense was extended to me. I paid $75.84 for photos I do not need them. I have
visited a different studio the photos are beautiful, and they are of my daughter. Please respond as soon as
possible, I would like this matter taken care of.
 4a. Collect some of your graded work that identifies comma splice and run-on errors. Correct all
marked errors and look for others to correct as well. Bring this revised work with you to the
DLA tutoring session.
If you do not have your own essay to work with, please complete the supplemental activity
below (4b).
 4b. Read the following sentences and identify whether each is a Comma Splice (CS), Run-on (RO),
or correct (C). If there is an error, correct it using one of the methods discussed above.
1. George Washington was born in Virginia, he was raised on a farm established by his greatgrandfather. ____
2. Washington had a big nose and a pockmarked face, however, he was still considered a
handsome man. ____
3. Washington said this about the war for independence: “Our cause is noble. It is the cause of
all mankind.” ____
4. At fifteen, Washington became a surveyor; in fact, his first job was to survey the six-millionacre estate of his neighbor Lord Fairfax. ____
5. Washington wanted to return to Mount Vernon after the Constitutional Convention his
colleagues persuaded him to become the country’s first president. ____
6. Washington’s vice president, John Adams, was sworn in on April 21, 1789. Washington was
sworn in as the first president on April 30, 1789. ____
7. The British Parliament passed several measures unjust to the American colonists Washington
became active in the resistance movement. ____
8. Washington lost nearly all his teeth a French dentist made him a set from carved rhinoceros
ivory. ____
The Writing Center
Building 26B, Room 1561
(909) 274-5325
http://www.mtsac.edu/writingcenter/
DLA: Comma Splices and Run-Ons 5
9. Washington held the first presidential barbeque in 1793, he roasted a five-hundred pound ox
for the party. ____
10. Our national capital is named for Washington, many American colleges and towns bear his
name. ____
 5.
Review: Sign-up to see a tutor on the “DLA Walk-in” list. During your session with a tutor,
explain the corrections you made to demonstrate your understanding of comma splices and runons. Refer to your own graded writing (or the completed activity) and explain to the tutor
strategies that you used to identify and correct this common error.
Student’s signature:
Date:
Tutor’s signature:
Date:
IMPORTANT NOTE: All the activities (4) in this DLA must be completed in their entirety before
meeting with a tutor and receiving credit. If your instructor wants evidence of this completed DLA,
return this form to him or her with the tutor’s signature included.
The Writing Center
Building 26B, Room 1561
(909) 274-5325
http://www.mtsac.edu/writingcenter/