English III Grammar: Run-Ons and Comma Splices

Main Clauses 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

Two Common Grammar Problems 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.

Problem #1: Run-Ons 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.

Problem #2: Comma Splices 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.

Method #1: Use a Period and a Capital Letter 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. They never attack humans.

Method #2: Use a Comma and a Joining Word 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.

More Examples of Method #2 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.

Joining Words List 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.

Method #3: Use a Dependent Word 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.

Punctuation Note for Method #3 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.

Most Common Dependent Words List AfterEven ifUnless AlthoughEven thoughUntil AsIfWhen BecauseOnceWhere BeforeSinceWhile

Warning: Conjunctive Adverbs 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

How to Use Conjunctive Adverbs 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.

Most Common Conjunctive Adverbs List AlsoHoweverOtherwise BesidesInsteadStill ConsequentlyMeanwhileThen FinallyMoreoverTherefore FurthermoreNextThus

References Langan, J. and Johnson, B. (2013). English Essentials. NY: McGraw- Hill.