Run-Ons + Comma Splices

What is it? A run-on is made up of 2 complete sentences that are joined incorrectly. Example: Dolphins have killed sharks they never attack humans. What are the two complete thoughts in this run-on?

Example: [Dolphins have killed sharks] [they never attack humans.]

What is it? A comma splice is made up of 2 complete thoughts that are joined incorrectly with just a comma. Example: Dolphins have killed sharks, they never attack humans. What are the 2 complete thoughts?

Example: [Dolphins have killed sharks] , [they never attack humans Example: [Dolphins have killed sharks] , [they never attack humans.] -This time our two complete thoughts are connected with a comma= Comma Splice

How to Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices Rule 1: Use a period and a capital letter Run-on: The computer hummed loudly the sound was annoying.

How to Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices Rule 1: Use a period and a capital letter Run-on: [The computer hummed loudly] [the sound was annoying.] How do you correct this run-on using Rule 1?

Corrected: The computer hummed loudly. The sound was annoying.

How to Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices Rule 2: Use a comma and a joining word Note- Joining words are coordinating conjunctions

FANBOYS F- for A- and N- nor B- but O- or Y- yet S- so

How to Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices Example: Comma Splice: [Dolphins have killed sharks] , [they never attack humans.] How do you correct this comma splice using Rule 2?

Corrected: Dolphins have killed sharks, but they never attack humans.

How to Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices Rule 3: Add a dependent word to one of the complete thoughts **Remember we learned about dependent words with fragments

Dependent Words: After If Whenever Although Since Where As That Wherever Because Though Whether Before Unless Which Even if Until While Even though What Who Even when When

How to Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices Dolphins have killed sharks they never attack humans. Correct this sentence in your notes using the dependent word “although”

Although dolphins have killed sharks, they never attack humans. ***We use a comma in between what used to be the two complete thoughts because the dependent word means it can no longer stand on its own***

How to Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices Rule 4: Use a semicolon to separate two complete thoughts Note- semicolons are ONLY used between two CLOSELY related complete thoughts.

Comma Splice: The fish was served with its head still on, Fred quickly lost his appetite. Correct this sentence in your notes!

Corrected: The fish was served with its head still on; Fred quickly lost his appetite. *We dropped the comma and added a semicolon between the two complete thoughts

The garden is overgrown, the fence is falling down. Try these…only write down the CORRECTED sentences you create. Use the corresponding rule number to correct them! The garden is overgrown, the fence is falling down. The little boy appeared to be lost several women stopped to help him. The roads are covered with ice school has been canceled. You better not store cereal in the basement there are mice there.