Correcting Fused Sentences and Comma Splices

It is very humid, Joe decided to go for a jog. (comma splice) It is very humid Joe decided to go for a jog. (fused sentence)

Coordinate Conjunctions Correct the error with a coordinate conjunction: For, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

It is very humid, yet Joe decided to go for a jog.

Correct the error with a subordinate conjuction. Subordinate conjunctions include the following words: before since because if after while as if

Choose one of the clauses to emphasize: Joe decided to go for a jog.

The other clause will be subordinated, or made into an adverb The other clause will be subordinated, or made into an adverb. Its significance will be reduced by the addition of the subordinate pronoun.

Although it was very humid, Joe decided to go for a jog. Joe decided to go for a jog although it was very humid. (Note punctuation. If the subordinate clause comes first, you’ll need a comma. None is required if the subordinate clauses come second.

Subordinate clauses function as adverbs Subordinate clauses function as adverbs. Consider the following: Yesterday, Joe decided to go for a jog. In the evening, Joe decided to go for a jog. For some reason, Joe decided to go for a jog. Although it is very humid, Joe decided to go for a jog.

Conjunctive Adverbs You can also correct spliced and fused sentences with conjunctive adverbs. Here are some common conjunctive adverbs: however therefore nevertheless for example moreover on the contrary consequently

Conjunctive adverbs work like conjunctions in that they connect independent clauses: It is very humid; nevertheless, Joe decided to go for a jog. You might also punctuate with a period: It is very humid. Nevertheless, Joe decided to go for a jog.

Conjunctive adverbs also work like adverbs in the kinds of information they convey. Like adverbs, they can move around in the sentence that contains them. It is very humid; Joe, nevertheless, decided to go for a jog.

Here is a major difference between conjunctive adverbs and subordinate conjunctions: Subordinate clauses can appear at the end or beginning of a sentence. Although it is very humid, Joe decided to go for a jog. Joe decided to go for a jog although it is very humid. The clause containing the conjunctive adverb, however, must remain at the end. It is very humid; nevertheless, Joe decided to go for a jog. but not Nevertheless, Joe decided to go for a job; It is very humid.

There are a few other ways to correct splices and fused sentences. Simply use a period or semi-colon. It is very humid. Joe decided to go for a jog. It is very humid; Joe decided to go for a jog.

Turn one of the clauses into an adjective clause or phrase Turn one of the clauses into an adjective clause or phrase. Joe, who knows it is very humid, decided to go for a jog.

Summary: Run on: I ate a bagel for breakfast it was stale. Fix with conjunction: I ate a bagel for breakfast, but it was stale. Fix with subordinate conjunction: I ate a bagel for breakfast although it was stale. Fix with conjunctive adverb: I ate a bagel for breakfast; unfortunately, it was stale. Fix with semi-colon: I ate a bagel for breakfast; it was stale. Fix with period: I ate a bagel for breakfast. It was stale. Fix with relative pronoun (adjective clause): I ate a bagel, which was stale, for breakfast.

PRACTICE: Correct each of the following using two of the methods we have just discussed. 1. I forgot to study my chemistry test begins in one hour. 2. I gave the dog a biscuit he devoured it hungrily. 3. The teacher brought a baby rabbit to class, the children were allowed to hold it. 4. We were without power for three days, the food in the freezer was completely ruined. 5. We were very glad to see some rain, our area had been in a severe drought for months.