UWF WRITING LAB
RULES OF THUMB FOR
RECOGNIZING COMMA
SPLICES AND RUN-ONS
From
Real Good Grammar, Too
by Mamie Webb Hixon
PowerPoint Created by April Turner
Revised by Mamie Webb Hixon June
21, 2010
1
“SENTENCING”
Just for Fun – A Little Grammar Humor!

RULES FOR BUILDING BETTER SENTENCES
Don’t write run-on sentences they are
hard to read.
Do not separate two sentences with a
comma, use a semicolon or a period
instead.
And no sentence fragments.
2
“SENTENCING”

Each of the word groups on the preceding slide
contains a Sentence Error:
 A RUN-ON SENTENCE
 A COMMA SPLICE
 A FRAGMENT
3
Sentence errors can derail the
reader.
I need to work on my grammar when I get
back from Europe, I will have to stop by
the Writing Lab.
 THE RUN-ON SENTENCE CAUSES
MISREADING.

4
WHAT IS THE WRITER
SAYING?
I need to work on my grammar; when I get
back from Europe, I will have to stop by
the Writing Lab.
OR
 I need to work on my grammar when I get
back from Europe; I will have to stop by
the Writing Lab.

5
There are three major
sentence errors.
RUN-ON SENTENCE: Two sentences
running together without any punctuation
separating them or any conjunction joining
them.
 COMMA SPLICE: Two sentences
separated only by a comma.
 FRAGMENT: An incomplete thought

6
Is the word group below
a run-on sentence?

The scandal broke after the teacher was
charged with sexual harassment so the
administration and the school board issued a
statement to the media to dispel any rumors.
7
THIS IS NOT
A RUN-ON SENTENCE:

The scandal broke after the teacher was
charged with sexual harassment so the
administration and the school board issued a
statement to the media to dispel any rumors.

IT IS A COMPOUND SENTENCE IN WHICH THE COMMA IS
INCORRECTLY OMITTED BEFORE THE COORDINATING
CONJUNCTION SO.
THE CONJUNCTION SO ACTUALLY JOINS THE TWO
SENTENCES.

8
REVISED

The scandal broke after the teacher was
charged with sexual harassment, so the
administration and the school board issued a
statement to the media to dispel any rumors.

THIS IS A COMPOUND SENTENCE IN WHICH THE COMMA
IS PLACED BEFORE THE COORDINATING CONJUNCTION
SO.
THE CONJUNCTION SO ACTUALLY JOINS THE TWO
SENTENCES.

9
THIS IS A RUN-ON SENTENCE:



_______________ _________________
(sentence)
(sentence)
Two sentences (independent clauses) which
are not separated by any punctuation.
Wearing a seatbelt is not just a good idea it’s
the law.
10
A RUN-ON SENTENCE IS NOT . . .


A run-on sentence is not a sentence that goes on and on
or a sentence that needs punctuation; a run-on sentence
is two sentences not separated by a period, a semicolon,
or a coordinating conjunction with a comma.
A run-on sentence is not necessarily a long sentence.
Walk with your feet dance with your heart.
11
These are run-on sentences, some from
The HBJ Workbook, 1992 Edition:





Liz is already fluent in English and Spanish in addition, she is
learning Chinese.
Emily Dickinson wrote her poems in seclusion she never
intended them for publication.
Rus works part time as a security guard he is helping to pay his
tuition.
Stewart and Rosemary flew to Denver from there, they drove to
the ski lodge in Aspen.
Cloning has aroused great interest as a scientific novelty
however, its implications seem frightening to many.
12
These are now comma splices, some from
The HBJ Workbook, 1992 Edition:





Liz is already fluent in English and Spanish, in addition, she is
learning Chinese.
Emily Dickinson wrote her poems in seclusion, she never
intended them for publication.
Rus works part time as a security guard, he is helping to pay his
tuition.
Stewart and Rosemary flew to Denver, from there, they drove to
the ski lodge in Aspen.
Cloning has aroused great interest as a scientific novelty,
however, its implications seem frightening to many.
13
DOES THE SENTENCE BELOW
CONTAIN A COMMA SPLICE?

No one voted in the election, so the White
House was empty for four years.
14
THIS IS NOT A COMMA SPLICE:

No one voted in the election, so the White
House was empty for four years.

THE COMMA PRECEDING THE
COORDINATING CONJUNCTION IS
CORRECT.
15
THIS IS NOT A COMMA SPLICE:
Students who are interested in doing an
internship during spring semester, must
complete the application process by
November.
 A comma splice is a comma specifically
separating two sentences, not a
superfluous comma or a comma that is in
the wrong place in a sentence.

16
THIS IS A COMMA SPLICE:

“Government is not the solution to the problem,
government is the problem.”
- President Ronald
Reagan

ONLY A COMMA SEPARATES THE TWO
SENTENCES.
17
SENTENCE SENSE

When the subject of one sentence is repeated
after a comma, very likely what follows the
comma is a new sentence. Therefore, using
only a comma to separate the two ideas is
insufficient.

“Government is not the solution to the problem;
government is the problem.”
18
Are any of the commas below
comma splices?



Because Professor Martinez knew the subject very well,
she was chosen to give the introductory lecture.
Even though he had written to the dean of the graduate
college and had submitted all the required forms in
triplicate, Martin was not accepted for admission.
If you wish to be accepted into the program for medical
technicians, you must indicate an interest in studying
science.
19
THESE SENTENCES DO NOT CONTAIN COMMA
SPLICES: There is not a complete sentence on both
sides of the comma; each comma is used correctly.



Because Professor Martinez knew the subject very well,
she was chosen to give the introductory lecture.
Even though he had written to the dean of the graduate
college and had submitted all the required forms in
triplicate, Martin was not accepted for admission.
If you wish to be accepted into the program for medical
technicians, you must indicate an interest in studying
science.
20
THIS IS A COMMA SPLICE:



_______________ , _________________
(sentence)
(sentence)
Two sentences (independent clauses)
separated only by a comma.
I never enjoyed reading comic books when I
was a child, fantasy novels were always my
favorite.
21
These sentences contain comma splices, some from
The HBJ Workbook, 1992 Edition:




The divorce rate has risen sharply in recent years, many
couples, consequently, now choose to live together before
marrying.
Graduate students who are also teaching assistants (TA’s)
carry a double burden, they must balance the needs of their
students against the demands of their own studies.
Angie arrived on campus with mixed feelings, she was
already homesick as well as excited.
Mrs. Webb listens to everyone's opinions, then she
makes up her own mind.
22
HOW TO CORRECT RUN-ONS
AND COMMA SPLICES:
Use a semicolon or period to separate
the two independent clauses/sentences.
 Wearing a seatbelt is not just a good idea;
it’s the law.
 I never enjoyed reading comic books when
I was a child; fantasy novels were always
my favorite.

23
WARNING! Using only a comma to separate
two sentences changes a run-on into a comma
splice.



RUN-ON
Some television shows are no doubt worthless however, there are
many programs that can truly be called educational.
COMMA SPLICE
Some television shows are no doubt worthless, however, there are
many programs that can truly be called educational.
CORRECTED SENTENCE
Some television shows are no doubt worthless; however, there are
many programs that can truly be called educational.
Some television shows are no doubt worthless. However, there are
many programs that can truly be called educational.
24
Run-ons and comma splices can derail
the reader and cause misreading.

Time went by quickly, before she knew it,
she was too old to find a good job.
CAREFULLY PROOFREAD AND EDIT
YOUR WRITING FOR RUN-ONS AND
FRAGMENTS.
25
Punctuate your sentences to
convey meaning.



My wealth does not create your poverty, and
your wealth does not create my poverty.
My wealth does not create your poverty; your
wealth does not create my poverty.
My wealth does not create your poverty. Your
wealth does not create my poverty.
 P.J. O’Rourke
26
IS THIS WORD GROUP A
FRAGMENT?

It is obsolete.
27
THIS IS NOT A FRAGMENT:


It is obsolete.
THIS GROUP OF WORDS HAS A SUBJECT,
A VERB, AND A COMPLETED THOUGHT.
28
IS THE SECOND WORD GROUP BELOW
A FRAGMENT?

Psychohistory is a relatively new type of study.
It combines the insights of psychology with the
data of history.
29
THE SECOND GROUP OF WORDS IS
NOT A FRAGMENT.
Psychohistory is a relatively new type of study.
It combines the insights of psychology with the
data of history.
THIS GROUP OF WORDS HAS A SUBJECT, A
VERB, AND A COMPLETED THOUGHT.

30
These are fragments.




The study showed that many employees eventually begin to neglect
their duties. Merely because they become bored with their job.
The Color Purple is the story of the trials and tribulations of two
sisters. Overcoming obstacles to discover themselves and to find
each other after a long separation.
Since 1945, New York has been the undisputed center of the art
world. A center that is livelier than those of prewar Europe.
In 1977, there were 200,000 foreign students attending colleges and
universities in the United States; the largest number coming from the
Middle East.
31
CORRECTED FRAGMENTS




The study showed that many employees eventually begin to neglect
their duties, merely because they become bored with their job.
The Color Purple is the story of the trials and tribulations of two
sisters, overcoming obstacles to discover themselves and to find
each other after a long separation.
Since 1945, New York has been the undisputed center of the art
world, a center that is livelier than those of prewar Europe.
In 1977, there were 200,000 foreign students attending colleges and
universities in the United States, the largest number coming from the
Middle East.
32
A FRAGMENT DOES NOT
EXPRESS A COMPLETE
THOUGHT:
B.B. King and Morgan Freeman know a lot
about cotton fields. Both having grown up
in the Mississippi Delta region. B.B. King
from Indianola, Mississippi, and Morgan
Freeman from Clarksdale, Mississippi.
 The underlined portions are fragments.

33
A FRAGMENT MAY CONTAIN A
SUBJECT AND A VERB BUT IS NOT
AN INDEPENDENT THOUGHT:

I noticed several students leaving the dormitory.
As I walked across the street past the trolley.
34
HOW TO CORRECT
FRAGMENTS:



Add words or connect the fragment to the
sentence from which it is disconnected.
B.B. King and Morgan Freeman know a lot about
cotton fields, both having grown up in the
Mississippi Delta region. B.B. King is from
Indianola, Mississippi, and Morgan Freeman is
from Clarksdale, Mississippi.
I noticed several students leaving the dormitory
as I walked across the street past the trolley.
35
The word groups below either contain
fragments or are fragments themselves:



Jason stopped at the post office after class. The long-awaited
care package from Louisiana having finally arrived. [No standalone verb in the second word group. Connect the second word
group to the first with a comma.]
The candidate least willing to debate his opponents in public.
[Incomplete thought – finish the sentence.]
Most writers use disinterested and uninterested interchangeably.
Because they neither know nor understand the difference
between the two words. [Though the “because” statement has a
subject and a verb, it is not an independent sentence. Connect
the two clauses without adding any punctuation.]
36
INTENTIONAL FRAGMENTS

When I bought tickets to see Nancy
Wilson, I expected an older, more
sophisticated crowd. I imagined that the
rarely seen Miss Wilson would surely draw
a more musically knowledgeable
audience, one that would appreciate the
jazz legend. Not a chance.
- FROM “The Rant” by Randy Haspel
37
I imagined that the rarely seen Miss Wilson would draw a more
musically knowledgeable audience, one that would appreciate
the jazz legend. Not a chance.
THE WRITER HAS INTENTIONALLY CONSTRUCTED THIS
FRAGMENT TO SERVE A SYTLISTIC AND RHETORICAL
PURPOSE.
38
WHAT IS THE SENTENCE
ERROR BELOW?
RUN-ON?
 COMMA SPLICE?
 FRAGMENT?
 CORRECT?
The twins are inseparable, neither of them
will go anywhere without the other.

39
WHAT IS THE SENTENCE
ERROR BELOW?
RUN-ON?
 COMMA SPLICE
 FRAGMENT?
 CORRECT?

The twins are inseparable, neither of them will go anywhere without
the other.
CORRECTION: The twins are inseparable; neither of them will go
anywhere without the other.
40
Let’s Practice!!!




The rate of inflation is related to the rate of
unemployment, it is impossible to influence one
without influencing the other.
…unemployment; it is impossible…
The ability to write complete sentences comes
with practice writing run-on sentences seems to
occur naturally.
…with practice; writing run-on sentences…
41
More Practice!!!




We were surprised to come home and find that
the house had been burglarized. Even our
toothpicks missing.
….had been burglarized, even our toothpicks
missing.
Erring is human, and forgiving is divine.
Although John’s errors were plentiful, since he
wasn’t close to approaching divinity.
...errors were plentiful, he wasn’t close…
42
BONUS ROUND!



IS THE FOLLOWING WORD GROUP A RUNON, FRAGMENT, COMMA SPLICE, OR
CORRECT?
Verizon Wireless said Sunday that it would pay
up to $90 million in refunds to 15 million cell
phone customers who were wrongly charged for
data sessions or Internet use, one of the largestever customer refunds by a telecommunications
company. (NY Times, Oct. 3, 2010)
CORRECT
43