Comma Splices & Run-On Sentences

1. Comma Splices &Run-On Sentences • Orion Page • Amesha Shaw • Sherry Taylor • Alexis Gardner

2. Definitions Comma Splice: two sentences incorrectly joined together with only a comma. Run-on Sentence: two sentences joined without punctuation.

3. 5 methods to correct run-on sentences and comma splices • Method 1: Separate two independent clauses into two sentences with a period (or question mark or exclamation point, if required). Example: Success is their goal(.) Happiness comes a close second. • Method 2: Separate the two independent clauses with a semicolon if the clauses are joined by a transitional expression or if their ideas are closely related. Example: Some parents support bilingual education(;) however, many oppose it plainly. • Method 3: Separate the two independent clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction ( and, but, or, nor, so, for, yet). Example: My mother’s name is Marta(,) and my father’s name is George.

4. Cont. methods • Method 4: Make one clause dependent on the other by adding a subordinating conjunction. Example:Whenever the beavers dammed up the river(,) the rise in the water level destroyed the trees. • Method 5: Make one clause into a phrase containing an –ing verb form, and attach it to the remaining independent clause. Example: Salmon swim upstream(,) jumping over huge dams to reach their destination.

5. Correct ‘em if you can! • Entrepreneurship is the study of small businesses, college students are embracing it enthusiastically.* • Judy leads a charmed life she never seems to have a serious accident.* • One person had been exporting farm equipment, in fact he exports over 30,000 pieces of machinery a year.* • People already believed the precious metals to be divine so their use in money intensified its allure.* • Many people think thatsemicolons are hard to understand; however, they are both easy to use and impressive when used correctly. *(sample sentences taken from the Guide to Grammar and Writing)