Book 4: A Writer’s HandbookChapter 38 (2): Comma Splices and Fused Sentences1 of 23 Chapter 38 (Sec. 2) Comma Splices and Fused Sentences

Book 4: A Writer’s HandbookChapter 38 (2): Comma Splices and Fused Sentences2 of 23 What is a Comma Splice?  A comma splice is two main clauses (complete sentences) joined by only a comma. Example: Nearly all the people who worked there had the same habit, it was a habit that had always annoyed Bernard.

Book 4: A Writer’s HandbookChapter 38 (2): Comma Splices and Fused Sentences3 of 23 What is a Fused Sentence ?  A fused sentence (also known as a run-on) is two main clauses (complete sentences) joined without any punctuation. Example: Bernard loved his part-time job at the local newspaper there was one problem.

Book 4: A Writer’s HandbookChapter 38 (2): Comma Splices and Fused Sentences4 of 23 How can you identify comma splices and fused sentences?  Find each of the main 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 fused sentence.  If there is a comma between main 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.

Book 4: A Writer’s HandbookChapter 38 (2): Comma Splices and Fused Sentences5 of 23 How can you correct comma splices and fused sentences? Comma splice: I respect my father, he provides me with all my needs. Fused sentence: I respect my father he provides me with all my needs. There are four ways to correct these: 1. Write separate complete sentences. I respect my father. He provides me with all my needs. 2. Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction. I respect my father, for he provides me with all my needs. 3. Use a semicolon or a colon. (You may use a conjunctive adverb + comma after a semicolon.) I respect my father; he provides me with all my needs. 4. Use subordination. I respect my father because he provides me with all my needs.

Book 4: A Writer’s HandbookChapter 38 (2): Comma Splices and Fused Sentences6 of How would you correct this sentence? The reason was very simple, most people stacked books, papers, and other stuff on their chairs. A) The reason was very simple, most people. Stacked books, papers, and other stuff on their chairs. B) The reason was very simple, most people stacked books, papers, and other stuff. On their chairs. C) The reason was very simple. Most people stacked books, papers, and other stuff on their chairs. D) none of the above

Book 4: A Writer’s HandbookChapter 38 (2): Comma Splices and Fused Sentences7 of How would you correct this sentence? The reason was very simple, most people stacked books, papers, and other stuff on their chairs. ANSWER: A) The reason was very simple, most people. Stacked books, papers, and other stuff on their chairs. B) The reason was very simple, most people stacked books, papers, and other stuff. On their chairs. C) The reason was very simple. Most people stacked books, papers, and other stuff on their chairs. D) none of the above

Book 4: A Writer’s HandbookChapter 38 (2): Comma Splices and Fused Sentences8 of How would you correct this sentence? To his astonishment, everyone he asked agreed they said they would clear everything off their chairs. A) To his astonishment; everyone he asked agreed they said they would clear everything off their chairs. B) To his astonishment, everyone he asked agreed; they said they would clear everything off their chairs. C) To his astonishment, everyone he asked agreed they said; they would clear everything off their chairs. D) none of the above

Book 4: A Writer’s HandbookChapter 38 (2): Comma Splices and Fused Sentences9 of How would you correct this sentence? To his astonishment, everyone he asked agreed they said they would clear everything off their chairs. ANSWER: A) To his astonishment; everyone he asked agreed they said they would clear everything off their chairs. B) To his astonishment, everyone he asked agreed; they said they would clear everything off their chairs. C) To his astonishment, everyone he asked agreed they said; they would clear everything off their chairs. D) none of the above

Book 4: A Writer’s HandbookChapter 38 (2): Comma Splices and Fused Sentences10 of How would you correct this sentence? Bernard’s accomplishment was short-lived it wasn’t long before each of those chairs began to develop a fresh pile of books all over again. A) Bernard’s accomplishment was short-lived, and it wasn’t long before each of those chairs began to develop a fresh pile of books all over again. B) Bernard’s accomplishment was short-lived it wasn’t long, and before each of those chairs began to develop a fresh pile of books all over again. C) Bernard’s accomplishment was short-lived, or it wasn’t long before each of those chairs began to develop a fresh pile of books all over again. D) none of the above

Book 4: A Writer’s HandbookChapter 38 (2): Comma Splices and Fused Sentences11 of How would you correct this sentence? Bernard’s accomplishment was short-lived it wasn’t long before each of those chairs began to develop a fresh pile of books all over again. ANSWER: A) Bernard’s accomplishment was short-lived, and it wasn’t long before each of those chairs began to develop a fresh pile of books all over again. B) Bernard’s accomplishment was short-lived it wasn’t long, and before each of those chairs began to develop a fresh pile of books all over again. C) Bernard’s accomplishment was short-lived, or it wasn’t long before each of those chairs began to develop a fresh pile of books all over again. D) none of the above

Book 4: A Writer’s HandbookChapter 38 (2): Comma Splices and Fused Sentences12 of How would you correct this sentence? Having a dog in the neighborhood probably made it safer for everyone that nonstop barking was intolerable. A) Having a dog in the neighborhood probably made it safer for everyone, that nonstop barking was intolerable. B) Having a dog in the neighborhood probably made it safer for everyone, even though that nonstop barking was intolerable. C) Having a dog in the neighborhood probably made it safer for everyone, and that nonstop barking was intolerable. D) none of the above

Book 4: A Writer’s HandbookChapter 38 (2): Comma Splices and Fused Sentences13 of How would you correct this sentence? Having a dog in the neighborhood probably made it safer for everyone that nonstop barking was intolerable. ANSWER: A) Having a dog in the neighborhood probably made it safer for everyone, that nonstop barking was intolerable. B) Having a dog in the neighborhood probably made it safer for everyone, even though that nonstop barking was intolerable. C) Having a dog in the neighborhood probably made it safer for everyone, and that nonstop barking was intolerable. D) none of the above

Book 4: A Writer’s HandbookChapter 38 (2): Comma Splices and Fused Sentences14 of How would you correct this sentence? Anthony was careful with money, his friends weren’t always so financially savvy. A) Anthony was careful with money, and his friends weren’t always so financially savvy. B) Though Anthony was careful with money, his friends weren’t always so financially savvy. C) Anthony was careful with money, so his friends weren’t always so financially savvy. D) none of the above

Book 4: A Writer’s HandbookChapter 38 (2): Comma Splices and Fused Sentences15 of How would you correct this sentence? Anthony was careful with money, his friends weren’t always so financially savvy. ANSWER: A) Anthony was careful with money, and his friends weren’t always so financially savvy. B) Though Anthony was careful with money, his friends weren’t always so financially savvy. C) Anthony was careful with money, so his friends weren’t always so financially savvy. D) none of the above

Book 4: A Writer’s HandbookChapter 38 (2): Comma Splices and Fused Sentences16 of How would you correct this sentence? Jeffrey was always asking someone for a loan, Anthony assumed this didn’t embarrass Jeffrey. A) Jeffrey was always asking someone for a loan, Anthony assumed, this didn’t embarrass Jeffrey. B) Jeffrey was always asking someone for a loan, and Anthony assumed this didn’t embarrass Jeffrey. C) Jeffrey was always asking someone for a loan Anthony assumed this didn’t embarrass Jeffrey. D) none of the above

Book 4: A Writer’s HandbookChapter 38 (2): Comma Splices and Fused Sentences17 of How would you correct this sentence? Jeffrey was always asking someone for a loan, Anthony assumed this didn’t embarrass Jeffrey. ANSWER: A) Jeffrey was always asking someone for a loan, Anthony assumed, this didn’t embarrass Jeffrey. B) Jeffrey was always asking someone for a loan, and Anthony assumed this didn’t embarrass Jeffrey. C) Jeffrey was always asking someone for a loan Anthony assumed this didn’t embarrass Jeffrey. D) none of the above

Book 4: A Writer’s HandbookChapter 38 (2): Comma Splices and Fused Sentences18 of How would you correct this sentence? Jeffrey always repaid the money he borrowed from Anthony, he repaid it even after his promotion fell through. A) Jeffrey always repaid the money he borrowed from Anthony he repaid it; even after his promotion fell through. B) Jeffrey always repaid the money he borrowed from Anthony he repaid it even after his promotion fell through. C) Jeffrey always repaid the money he borrowed from Anthony; he repaid it even after his promotion fell through. D) none of the above

Book 4: A Writer’s HandbookChapter 38 (2): Comma Splices and Fused Sentences19 of How would you correct this sentence? Jeffrey always repaid the money he borrowed from Anthony, he repaid it even after his promotion fell through. ANSWER: A) Jeffrey always repaid the money he borrowed from Anthony he repaid it; even after his promotion fell through. B) Jeffrey always repaid the money he borrowed from Anthony he repaid it even after his promotion fell through. C) Jeffrey always repaid the money he borrowed from Anthony; he repaid it even after his promotion fell through. D) none of the above

Book 4: A Writer’s HandbookChapter 38 (2): Comma Splices and Fused Sentences20 of How would you correct this sentence? Every week, Lenny spent his whole paycheck, he liked to buy things like expensive cameras, fine clothes, and designer shoes. A) Every week, Lenny spent his whole paycheck, or he liked to buy things like expensive cameras, fine clothes, and designer shoes. B) Every week, Lenny spent his whole paycheck, he liked to buy things like expensive cameras. Fine clothes, and designer shoes. C) Every week, Lenny spent his whole paycheck. He liked to buy things like expensive cameras, fine clothes, and designer shoes. D) none of the above

Book 4: A Writer’s HandbookChapter 38 (2): Comma Splices and Fused Sentences21 of How would you correct this sentence? Every week, Lenny spent his whole paycheck, he liked to buy things like expensive cameras, fine clothes, and designer shoes. ANSWER: A) Every week, Lenny spent his whole paycheck, or he liked to buy things like expensive cameras, fine clothes, and designer shoes. B) Every week, Lenny spent his whole paycheck, he liked to buy things like expensive cameras. Fine clothes, and designer shoes. C) Every week, Lenny spent his whole paycheck. He liked to buy things like expensive cameras, fine clothes, and designer shoes. D) none of the above

Book 4: A Writer’s HandbookChapter 38 (2): Comma Splices and Fused Sentences22 of How would you correct this sentence? Anthony had a few tricks he had learned for saving money, one of them was throwing all of his small change into a jar. A) Anthony had a few tricks he had learned for saving money though one of them was throwing all of his small change into a jar. B) Anthony had a few tricks he had learned for saving money one of them was throwing all of his small change into a jar. C) Anthony had a few tricks he had learned for saving money; one of them was throwing all of his small change into a jar. D) none of the above

Book 4: A Writer’s HandbookChapter 38 (2): Comma Splices and Fused Sentences23 of How would you correct this sentence? Anthony had a few tricks he had learned for saving money, one of them was throwing all of his small change into a jar. ANSWER: A) Anthony had a few tricks he had learned for saving money though one of them was throwing all of his small change into a jar. B) Anthony had a few tricks he had learned for saving money one of them was throwing all of his small change into a jar. C) Anthony had a few tricks he had learned for saving money; one of them was throwing all of his small change into a jar. D) none of the above