Runons and Comma Splices 2016 by BedfordSt Martins

Run-ons and Comma Splices © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

What is a run-on? �A run-on is two complete sentences (also called independent clauses) joined with no stop punctuation between them. Bernard loved his part-time job at the local newspaper there was one problem. © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

What is a comma splice? �A comma splice is two complete sentences (or independent clauses) joined with only a comma between them. Nearly all the people who worked there had the same habit, it was a habit that had always annoyed Bernard. © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

How can you identify run-ons and comma splices? �Find each of the independent clauses in a sentence. �Check to see how they are joined. Is there any punctuation between them? If not, you may be looking at a run-on. �If there is a comma between independent clauses, look for a coordinating conjunction (like and, but, for, so, or, yet). If there is none, you may be looking at a comma splice. © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

How can you correct run-ons and comma splices? �There are four ways to correct a run-on or a comma splice: �Add a period. �Add a semicolon. �Add a comma and a coordinating conjunction: FANBOYS (for/and/nor/boy/or/yet/so). �Add a dependent word: when/while/after/ although/even though/since/until. © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

Add a period: � You can split run-ons and comma splices into two separate sentences by adding a period between them. � After adding the period, capitalize the letter that begins the new sentence. � Reread your new sentences to make sure they each contain a subject, a verb, and a complete thought. Run-on: Each person had a chair next to his or her desk for visitors their visitors were not able to sit in many of those chairs. Corrected: Each person had a chair next to his or her desk for visitors. © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s Their visitors were not able to sit in many of those chairs.

Add a semicolon: � A second way to correct run-ons and comma splices is to use a semicolon [; ] to join the two sentences. � Use a semicolon only when the two sentences express closely related ideas. � A semicolon can be used only where a period could also be used; the words on each side of the semicolon must be able to stand alone as a complete sentence. � Do not capitalize the word that follows a semicolon unless it is the name of a specific person, place, or thing that is usually capitalized. Run-on: Bernard wanted to break this habit after all, why couldn’t a chair be used as a chair? Corrected: Bernard wanted to break this habit; after all, why couldn’t a chair be © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

Add a comma and a coordinating conjunction: � A third way to correct run-ons is to add a comma and a coordinating conjunction: and, but, or, nor, so, for, or yet. Think of a coordinating conjunction as a link that joins independent clauses to form one sentence. � A comma splice already has a comma, so you need to add only a conjunction. � Before choosing a conjunction, read the independent clauses aloud to see which word best expresses the relationship between them. Comma splice: Eventually, he got to everyone in the office, one by one, the chairs were cleared of clutter. Corrected: Eventually, he got to everyone in the office, and one by one, the © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s chairs were cleared of clutter.

Add a dependent word: � A fourth way to correct run-ons and comma splices is to make one of the complete sentences a dependent clause by adding a dependent word, such as after, because, before, if, though, even though, unless, or when. � Choose the dependent word (or subordinating conjunction) that best expresses the relationship between the two clauses. Run-on: Sophia thought they got the watchdog their house was robbed recently. Corrected: © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s Sophia thought they got the watchdog because their house was robbed recently.

Using a comma with dependent words: Corrected: Sophia got a watchdog because their house was robbed recently. NO COMMA – the dependent word is in the middle of the sentence. Because their house was robbed recently, Sophia got a watchdog. ADD COMMA – the dependent word is at the beginning © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s of the sentence. Since it is in front of the main idea, we

Use one of the four ways to correct this comma splice: Anthony was careful with money, his friends weren’t always so financially savvy. © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

Answer: Though Anthony was careful with money, his friends weren’t always so financially savvy. © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

Use one of the four ways to correct this comma splice: (continued 1) Jeffrey always seemed to be asking someone for a loan, Anthony assumed this didn’t embarrass Jeffrey. © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

Answer: (continued 1) Jeffrey always seemed to be asking someone for a loan, and Anthony assumed this didn’t embarrass Jeffrey. © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

Use one of the four ways to correct this comma splice: (continued 2) However, Jeffrey always repaid the money he borrowed from Anthony, he repaid it even after his work promotion fell through. © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

Answer: (continued 2) However, Jeffrey always repaid the money he borrowed from Anthony; he repaid it even after his work promotion fell through. © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

Use one of the four ways to correct this comma splice: (continued 3) Every week, Lenny spent nearly his whole paycheck, he liked to buy things like expensive cameras, fine clothes, and designer shoes. © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

Answer: (continued 3) Every week, Lenny spent nearly his whole paycheck. He liked to buy things like expensive cameras, fine clothes, and designer shoes. © 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

© 2016 by Bedford/St. Martin’s