Grammar Review:

1. Grammar Review: Run-Ons, Comma Splices, Commas, and Semicolons

2. Objective • Identify errors such as run-ons & comma splices • Address how to correct errors using commas and semicolons • Focusing on eight comma rules today; remaining rules next week

3. Run-ons: The Basics • Is made up of two complete thoughts incorrectly join together without a connection between them • Dolphins have killed sharks they never attack humans. The complete thoughts are dolphins have killed sharks and they never attack humans. BEWARE: This is an example of a run-on sentence, and it is not a correct sentence.

4. Comma Splices: The Basics • Is made up of two complete thoughts that are incorrectly joined (or spliced) together with only a comma • A comma alone is not enough to connect two complete thoughts. • Dolphins have killed sharks, they never attack humans. BEWARE: This is an example of a comma splice, and it is not a correct sentence.

5. Correcting Run-ons & Comma Splices • Option 1: • Separate into two sentences Run-on: The computer hummed loudly the sound was annoying. CS: The computer hummed loudly, the sound was annoying. Corrected: The computer hummed loudly. The sound was annoying. • Option 2: • Use a comma AND a joining word(and, but, so, for, nor, yet) Run-on: The garden is overgrown the fence is falling down. CS:The garden is overgrown, the fence is falling down. Corrected: The garden is overgrown, and the fence is falling down.

6. Practice Draw a line (l) between the two complete thoughts in each example and identify how to correct the error • I cannot find my car keys anywhere I am going to be late for work—again! • I cannot find my car keys anywhere. I am going to be late for work—again! • I cannot find my car keys anywhere, so I am going to be late for work—again! • The party was going to be full of loud, noisy strangers I decided to stay at home with a good book. • The part was going to be full of loud, noisy strangers. I decided to stay at home with a good book. • The part was going to be full of loud, noisy strangers, so I decided to stay at home with a good book.

7. More Correcting Options • Option 3: Subordinate Conjunctions • Add a dependent word to one of the main clauses • This will form a subordinate clause which joins two clauses in such a way as to make one dependent on the other (a.k.a. a complex sentence) Run-on: The roads are covered with ice school has been canceled. CS: The roads are covered with ice, school has been canceled. Corrected: Since the roads are covered with ice, school has been canceled.

8. Examples of subordinate conjunctions; also known as dependent words: • Use dependent words that logically connect the two thoughts • Use dependent words at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence Run-on: You better not store cereal in the basement there are mice there. CS: You better not store cereal in the basement, there are mice there. Corrected: You better not store cereal in the basement because there are mice there.

9. Practice Correct the sentence using one of the following: although, since, if, or after • These boots are suppose to be waterproof my feet are soaked. • Although these boots are suppose to be waterproof, my feet are soaked. • You need to make a call you can borrow my cell phone. • If you need to make a call, you can borrow my cell phone. • The players looked depressed the team lost the game. • The players looked depressed after the team lost the game.

10. Option 4: Semicolon (use sparingly) • Use a semicolon to join the two main clauses Run-on: Grandma still rides her Harley motorcycle her toy poodle balances in a basket between the handlebars. CS: Grandma still rides her Harley motorcycle, her toy poodle balances in a basket between the handlebars. Corrected: Grandma still rides her Harley motorcycle; her toy poodle balances in a basket between the handlebars. • Ensure both clauses are closely related in meaning • Don’t capitalize the first letter of the first word in the second main clause unless it’s a proper noun • A semicolon can also help short sentences read smoother • Use semicolons sparingly; should not be your first choice when correcting a run-on or comma splice

11. Other Uses for Semicolons • Use semicolons before a transitional word (or words) to join two complete thoughts • Transitional words (conjunctive adverbs) clarify a relationship between the two clauses Run-on: I like working outside I also enjoy reading. CS: I like working outside, I also enjoy reading. Corrected: I like working outside; however, I also enjoy reading. • Don’t forget the comma after the conjunctive adverb

12. Practice Correct the sentence using one of the following: however, in addition, otherwise • The house needs a new septic system it should have a new roof. • The house needs a new septic system; in addition, it should have a new roof. • You should eat a good breakfast you’ll be out of energy before noon. • You should eat a good breakfast; otherwise, you’ll be out of energy before noon. • I almost never write to my brother I call him several times a month. • I almost never write to my brother; however, I call him several times a month.

13. Commas: The How-To Has seventeen different uses; we will focus on the basic eight rules • Use to separate items in a series a. When listing 3 or more items in a sentence separate each item with a comma Ex: My favorite Victorian novelists are the Bronte sisters, Charles Dickens, and Thomas Hardy. • Use before conjunctions in a compound sentence a. Conjunctions include and, for, but, or, nor, or so and joins two independent clauses Ex: My glasses broke, so I mended them with duct tape. Ex: The forecast called for rain, but it’s a beautiful sunny day. … a complete thought … a complete thought

14. Use after an introductory phrase or dependent (subordinate) clause • Use to separate an introductory element from the main clause that follows • Main clauses will often have single words or clauses that introduce them c. Don’t use a comma if the clause or phrase comes at the end of the sentence Ex: In order to be successful, one must learn to write well. Ex: Her grades improved after she learned to use commas correctly. a phrase a phrase but no comma needed

15. Use to separate elements of dates and places Ex: The date was June 12, 1999.Ex: He was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota. • Use before a direct quote a. Commas and periods go inside the quotation marks Ex: When asked if he had studied for the test, Paul replied, “Only a little,” and his grade showed it! • Use before and after non-essential elements • Commas before and after parts of the sentence providing information that is not essential in order to understand its meaning Ex: Horace Mann Elementary, which is the smallest school in the district, enrolls only 160 students. … is not essential to understanding the sentence

16. Use before and after phrases that serve as interrupters • Some phrases/words interrupt the flow of the sentence Ex: Your girlfriend, to be perfectly honest, cares more for your wallet than she does for you. • Don’t confuse interrupters with transitional words (conjunctive adverbs) which joins two independent clauses Ex: Adam did not like math. He was, however, very successful in his math classes. Ex: I like working outside; however, I also enjoy reading. … interrupts the sentence so use commas … NOT a completethought … NO subject … connects the two souse a semicolon and then a comma … yes, a complete thought & sentence … yes, a complete thought & sentence

17. Use between consecutive adjectives that are equally important in describing the same noun • Adjectives must be of equal importance b. A helpful way to determine if the adjectives are equal is to reverse them in the sentence; if the sentence does not read well do not use a comma c. If you insert an and between the adjectives and the sentence makes sense then use a comma d. Do not separate adjectives of unequal importance Ex: The hungry, slimy, green Martian opened the classroom door, grabbed Claudette, and took her to lunch. slimy, hungry, green orgreen, hungry, slimy hungry and slimy and green Ex: By the end of the game, the field was a slippery, wet mess. wet, slippery wet and slippery

18. Homework • Complete the handouts – Due TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) • You will receive a completion grade