Run-On Sentences, Comma Splices and Sentence Fragments
A run-on sentence is created when two independent clauses are joined without a conjunction
or proper punctuation.
i.e.
Juanita felt poorly in the morning her spirits picked up as the day continued.
If a comma is inserted, the sentence is still incorrect. Instead of a run-on, a comma splice is
created.
i.e.
Juanita felt poorly in the morning, her spirits picked up as the day continued.
There are four ways to fix a run-on or comma splice:
1.
i.e.
Juanita felt poorly in the morning, but her spirits picked up as the day continued.
2.
i.e.
Add a subordinating conjunction to create a complex sentence.
Though Juanita felt poorly in the morning, her spirits picked up as the day continued.
3.
i.e.
Separate the two clauses with end punctuation to create two simple sentences.
Juanita felt poorly in the morning. Her spirits picked up as the day continued.
4.
i.e.
Add a coordination conjunction to create a compound sentence.
Use a colon or semi-colon to separate the independent clause. A colon is used
when the second idea builds on the first. A semi-colon is used when the ideas are
more loosely connected to each other.
Juanita felt poorly in the morning; her spirits picked up as the day continued.
Juanita had only one reason to cause her absence: she felt poorly in the morning.
Note: A run-on or comma splice can also created when direct evidence is connected to an
independent clause without a conjunction or proper punctuation.
i.e.
The main character is insensitive toward his younger brother, “Look everyone, Mikey
wet himself again. Comma Splice
A sentence fragment is a group of words that does not form a complete sentence. Often it may
be a group of words without a verb.
i.e.
After the tsunami in Indonesia and other areas of Asia.
It may also be a dependent clause that includes a verb but does not have an independent
clause to make it a complex sentence.
i.e.
After the tsunami struck Indonesia and other areas of Asia.