Comma Splices and Fused
Sentences
Comma Splices & Fused Sentences
A run-on sentence is created when two independent*
clauses or complete sentences are joined together
incorrectly. There are two types of run-ons: the
comma splice and the fused sentence.
Spock, in an attempt to make nurse Chapel jealous,
ate six large pizzas, drank a two liter bottle of Pepsi,
and danced until four in the morning with strangely
green Amazon women who wore big hair and far too
much make-up.
This sentence is long, but it is not a run-on.
Comma Splices & Fused Sentences
*An independent clause is another way of saying
complete sentence. For example, “Spock drank a
Pepsi” is an independent clause because it has a
subject, a verb, and it expresses a complete thought.
Spock is the subject. Drank is the verb, and Pepsi is
the direct object. Although a sentence does not
need an object to be complete.
Comma Splices & Fused Sentences
Spock drank a Pepsi he enjoyed it.
This sentence is a type of run-on known as the
fused sentence. Two independent clauses are stuck
together without punctuation.
Spock drank a Pepsi, he enjoyed it.
This sentence is a type of run-on known as the
comma splice. Two independent clauses are stuck
together with a comma.
Comma Splices & Fused Sentences
Both comma splices and fused sentences are
corrected in one of four ways:
1) Insert a period between the two clauses.
2) Use a coordinating conjunction.
3) Change one of the independent clauses into a
dependent clause and join them in a complex
sentence.
4) Insert a conjunctive adverb between the clauses.
Comma Splices & Fused Sentences
Do not correct a comma splice or a fused sentence
by placing a lone semicolon between the clauses.
The textbook may say that this is grammatically
correct, but it results in choppy sentences with
weak coherence. This may work in high-school,
but in college instructors expect more. Please don’t
abuse the semicolon. Otherwise your writing will
end up here.
Comma Splices & Fused Sentences
The easiest way to correct a comma splice is with a
period; however, this isn’t the best way because the
period doesn’t relate ideas very well.
Spock drank a Pepsi, he enjoyed it. (comma splice)
Spock drank a Pepsi. He enjoyed it. (corrected)
Even though the sentence is now technically
correct, the relationship between the ideas in each
sentence could be stronger.
Comma Splices & Fused Sentences
The next way to correct a comma splice is with a
coordinating conjunction. The seven coordinating
conjunctions are the FONYBAS words. This isn’t
a real bass. It’s a FONYBAS (phony-bass), so to
remember the seven coordinating conjunctions,
think about this plastic fish.
Comma Splices & Fused Sentences
For
Or
Nor
Yet
But
And
So
The first letters of the seven coordinating
conjunctions (for, or, nor, yet, but, and, so)
spell fonybas when they are written out
vertically. These seven coordinating
conjunctions are among the most powerful
words in the English language because by
changing the conjunction, the entire
meaning of the sentence is changed.
Comma Splices & Fused Sentences
Spock drank a Pepsi, he enjoyed it. If a
coordinating conjunction is used to correct this
comma splice the meaning will change slightly for
each coordinating conjunction used.
In order to use a coordinating conjunction, the
sentence must have two independent clauses that
make sense together and the relationship implied by
the coordinating conjunction must also make sense.
Comma Splices & Fused Sentences
Spock drank a Pepsi, for he enjoyed it. This
means that Spock drinks Pepsi because he enjoys
drinking Pepsi. He does it for simple enjoyment.
Spock drank a Pepsi, yet he enjoyed it. This
means that Spock drank the Pepsi not expecting to
enjoy it, but he enjoyed it anyway.
Comma Splices & Fused Sentences
Spock drank a Pepsi, and he enjoyed it. This
means that Spock drank the Pepsi and he received
enjoyment from it. Two events occurred without
much of a relationship between them.
Spock drank a Pepsi, so he enjoyed it. This means
that as a result of drinking Pepsi, Spock received
enjoyment. The enjoyment seems forced upon
Spock as if he had no other choice.
Comma Splices & Fused Sentences
Saying “Spock drank a Pepsi, nor he enjoyed it” is
faulty coordination. The connecting word does not
make sense with the other two sentences.
Saying “Spock drank a Pepsi and enjoyed it” is a
simple sentence with a compound verb. “enjoyed
it” is not an independent clause, so “and” in this
case is not operating as a coordinating conjunction.
No comma is needed in this sentence. It is not a
compound, or coordinate, sentence.
Comma Splices & Fused Sentences
The next way to correct a comma splice or
fused sentence is with subordination, or a
complex sentence. One of the sentences
must be changed into a dependent clause or a
fragment and attached to the other.
To change a sentence into a dependent
clause, use a subordinating word. Placing a
subordinating word in front of a sentence
weakens the sentence’s meaning and makes
it dependent upon another sentence.
Comma Splices & Fused Sentences
Subordinating words include words such as:
after
before
until
although
if
when
as
once
where
as if
since
whenever
that
because
unless
wherever
while
And Relative Pronouns such as:
that
whatever who(m)
whose
what
which
whoever
whomever
Comma Splices & Fused Sentences
“Spock drank a Pepsi” is an independent clause;
however, “When Spock drank a Pepsi” is a
dependent clause because it no longer has any
meaning by itself. When Spock drank a Pepsi,
what happened? So the dependent clause must be
attached to an independent clause to have meaning.
When Spock drank a Pepsi, he enjoyed it.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Comma Splices & Fused Sentences
If the dependent clause precedes the
independent clause, then use a comma to
separate the two clauses.
When Spock drank a Pepsi, he enjoyed it.
If the independent clause precedes the
dependent clause, then no comma is
necessary.
Spock enjoyed it when he drank a Pepsi.
Comma Splices & Fused Sentences
In a complex sentence, the independent
clause is the more important part of the
sentence. Important information must be put
in the independent clause of a complex
sentence. The dependent clause only serves
to add extra information as to where or when
the event in the independent clause occurred.
Comma Splices & Fused Sentences
The last way to correct a comma splice or a fused
sentence is with a conjunctive adverb. Conjunctive
adverbs are transitional words that join independent
clauses together much like coordinating
conjunctions; however, since conjunctive adverbs
employ semicolons as a part of their syntax, they
are a bit like crying “wolf.” If they are overused,
the reader stops paying attention.
Comma Splices & Fused Sentences
Common conjunctive adverbs include:
accordingly
furthermore
meanwhile
similarly
also
hence
anyway
however
nevertheless
then
besides
incidentally
next
thereafter
certainly
indeed
nonetheless
therefore
consequently
instead
now
thus
finally
otherwise
Comma Splices & Fused Sentences
To correct a comma splice with a conjunctive
adverb, insert the conjunctive adverb and its
punctuation between the two independent clauses.
Spock drank a Pepsi, he enjoyed it. (comma splice)
Spock drank a Pepsi; hence, he enjoyed it. (corrected)
A semicolon must precede the conjunctive adverb
and a comma must follow it, otherwise it isn’t a
conjunctive adverb but merely a transitional word.
Comma Splices & Fused Sentences
Spock drank a Pepsi; hence, he enjoyed it.
The semicolon forces the reader to pause and
reflect upon the content of the first independent
clause. Then the reader reads the transitional word
and ponders its relationship to the first independent
clause before moving on to complete the sentence.
Using a conjunctive adverb is like slapping the
reader in the face. If it is overused it becomes
annoying.
Comma Splices & Fused Sentences
The conjunctive adverb is a wonderful way
to get the reader’s attention
without shouting!
The exclamation mark does not
belong in college writing. Particularly
because instructors hate to be shouted at by
students, but mostly because there are better
methods for gaining the reader’s attention.