 All English sentences must have a main clause.  A main clause must have a:  Subject (a person, place, or thing that is doing or being),  Verb (an action or state), and  Complete thought.  She went to Hong Kong.  Subject = She  Verb = went  The students are skipping English class to go to the movies.  Subject = students  Verb = are skipping

 During today’s lesson on grammar, you will learn to identify and fix run-ons and comma splices.  These goals can be accomplished by remembering the importance of main clauses.

 A run-on is made up of two main clauses that are incorrectly put (or run) together without a connection between them.  This is not acceptable since a single sentence cannot contain two main thoughts.  Wrong: Dolphins have killed sharks they never attack humans.  The complete thoughts are dolphins have killed sharks and they never attack humans.

 A comma splice is made up of two main clauses that are incorrectly joined (or spliced) together with only a comma.  A comma alone is not enough to connect two complete thoughts.  Wrong: Dolphins have killed sharks, they never attack humans.  Once again, the complete thoughts are dolphins have killed sharks and they never attack humans.

 One way to fix run-ons and comma splices is by using a period and capital letter to break the original sentence into two sentences.  Run-on: Dolphins have killed sharks they never attack humans.  Comma splice: Dolphins have killed sharks, they never attack humans.  Correct version: Dolphins have killed sharks. T hey never attack humans.

 Another way to fix run-ons and comma splices is by using a comma and joining word to connect two complete thoughts into one sentence.  Run-on: Dolphins have killed sharks they never attack humans.  Comma splice: Dolphins have killed sharks, they never attack humans.  Correct version: Dolphins have killed sharks, but they never attack humans.

 Run-on: The garden is overgrown the fence is falling down.  Comma splice: The garden is overgrown, the fence is falling down.  Correct version: The garden is overgrown, and the fence is falling down.  Run-on: The little boy appeared to be lost several women stopped to help him.  Comma splice: The little boy appeared to be lost, several women stopped to help him.  Correct version: The little boy appeared to be lost, so several women stopped to help him.

 English has seven joining words.  You can use the acronym FANBOYS to help you remember all of them.  For  And  Nor  But  Or  Yet  So  The most common joining words are and, but, and so.

 A final way to fix run-ons and comma splices is to add a dependent word to one of the complete thoughts. The sentence will then include one thought that depends upon the other compete thought for its full meaning.  Run-on: Dolphins have killed sharks they never attack humans.  Comma splice: Dolphins have killed sharks, they never attack humans.  Correct version: Although dolphins have killed sharks, they never attack humans.

 When a dependent thought begins a sentence, it is followed by a comma.  Run-on: The roads are covered with ice school has been canceled.  Correct version: Because the roads are covered with ice, school has been cancelled.  Comma splice: The water began to boil, I added ears of corn.  Correct version: After the water began to boil, I added ears of corn.

AfterEven ifUnless AlthoughEven thoughUntil AsIfWhen BecauseOnceWhere BeforeSinceWhile

 Never try to connect two sentences with a conjunctive adverb.  When this is done, a run-on or comma splice still exists.  This is because conjunctive adverbs are not the same as joining words and dependent words.  They typically are used to start main clauses, not connect them.  Run-on: Dolphins have killed sharks however they never attack humans  Comma splice: Dolphins have killed sharks, however they never attack humans

 However, a conjunctive adverb can be used as part of method #1 for fixing run-ons and comma splices. Remember to use a comma too.  Run-on: Dolphins have killed sharks however they never attack humans  Comma splice: Dolphins have killed sharks, however they never attack humans  Correct version: Dolphins have killed sharks. However, they never attack humans.  Run-on: The garden is overgrown also the fence is falling down.  Comma splice: The garden is overgrown, also the fence is falling down.  Correct version: The garden is overgrown. Also, the fence is falling down.

AlsoHoweverOtherwise BesidesInsteadStill ConsequentlyMeanwhileThen FinallyMoreoverTherefore FurthermoreNextThus