Mini-Lesson #33
From the
UWF Writing Lab’s 101
Grammar Mini-Lessons Series
A comma splice occurs when only a comma
separates the two complete sentences
(independent clauses). A comma splice is
not a comma error. A run-on occurs when
two complete sentences are fused together
without the proper punctuation.
The comma splice and the run-on/fused
sentence are two sentence errors. A comma
splice results when two independent
clauses are joined solely by a comma.
Example:
I admired Wonder Woman, for a long time she was my
hero.
A run-on is not a long sentence. Both the
run-on and the comma splice can be two
short sentences. A run-on/fused sentence,
really two sentences without any
punctuation, or conjunction between them,
is identical to a comma splice but without
the comma.
Example:
I admired Wonder Woman for a long time she was my
hero.
A period or semicolon correctly marks the
sentence boundaries. Coordinating
conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, and
so) offer alternatives for connecting two
sentences. (Use a comma preceding the
coordinating conjunction.)
Examples:
I admired Wonder Woman. For a long time she was my
hero.
I admired Wonder Woman; For a long time she was my
hero.
I admired Wonder Woman, and for a long time she was
my hero.
Comma Splice
Examples:
Incorrect: This company has never printed novels,
textbooks are its principal publication.
 Correct: This company has never printed novels;
textbooks are its principal publication.
Incorrect: Wearing a seat belt is not just a good idea,
it’s the law.
 Correct: Wearing a seat belt is not just a good idea; it’s
the law.
Incorrect: Mrs. Webb listens to everyone’s opinions,
then she makes up her own mind.
 Correct: Mrs. Webb listens to everyone’s opinions;
then she makes up her own mind.
Incorrect: Difficult puzzles first cause amazement and
thought, then they create a mood of frustration and
anger.
 Correct: Difficult puzzles first cause amazement and
thought; then they create a mood of frustration and
anger.
Run-ons
Examples:
Incorrect: Psychohistory is a relatively new type of
study it combines the insights of psychology with the
data of history.
 Correct: Psychohistory is a relatively new type of study;
it combines the insights of psychology with the data of
history.
Incorrect: “You” is a second person pronoun rarely
used in the South most Southerners use “y‘all”
instead.”
 Correct: “You” is a second person pronoun rarely used
in the South; most Southerners use “y‘all” instead.”
Incorrect: Some television shows are no doubt are no
doubt worthless however, there are many programs
that can truly be called educational.
 Correct: Some television shows are no doubt are no
doubt worthless; however, there are many programs
that can truly be called educational.