1. Comma Splices
&
Run-ons

2. Comma Splice:
2 sentences joined with a comma

3. , , Comma Splice Sentence sentence. I was late for work
Spliced sentences ,
I was late for work
my boss was angry.

4. Flying can be dangerous train travel seems much safer .
Example:
comma splice
sentence 1 ,
Flying can be dangerous
train travel seems much safer .
sentence 2

5. School has been canceled today
Another Example:
comma splice
sentence 1 ,
School has been canceled today
students have the day off.
sentence 2

6. I was late for work this morning
Another Example:
comma splice
sentence 1 ,
I was late for work this morning
my boss was angry at me again.
sentence 2

7. Comma Splice
To “splice” means to join the ends of 2 items
Spliced

8. Comma Splice Film is often spliced when a scene is cut from a movie

9. NOT “comma slice”
NOT “comma spice”
It’s a comma splice.

10. A comma is too weak to join sentences.
Yep, I’m pretty weak!!
These sentences are too much!!

11. Comma splices are serious sentence errors
Just say NO to comma splices

12. , A Final Example: sentence 1 comma splice Craco is a city in Italy
earthquakes
caused residents to abandon it in 1963.
sentence 2 RO

13. A Run-on Sentence is…
Run-on!
joining 2 complete sentences with nothing in between

14. not necessarily long. Run-on sentences are I never fly
I always take the train.
Run-on!

15. School has been canceled today
nothing here
sentence 1
School has been canceled today
students have the day off.
Run-on sentence
sentence 2

16. Many students are sleep deprived
Run-on sentence
sentence 1
nothing here
Many students are sleep deprived
sleeping in class is not a good idea.
sentence 2

17. Barbeque sauce contains a lot of sugar
Run-on sentence
sentence 1
nothing here
Barbeque sauce contains a lot of sugar
it’s like pancake syrup on your food.
sentence 2 Q

18. Q: What is the difference between a
comma splice
and a
run-on sentence?
A: a comma!

19. , Run-on sentence Comma splice
Nothing between the sentences
A comma between 2 sentences = comma splice ,
School has been canceled today students have the day off.
Comma splice
Run-on sentence
1, 2, 3, 4

20. Four solutions to correct run-ons and comma splices.
1, 2, 3, 4
Four solutions to correct run-ons and comma splices.

21. #1
Use a semi-colon. ;
Sentence
sentence.

22. School has been canceled today
1: Use a semi-colon.
A semi-colon (;) can be used between 2 closely related sentences. ;
School has been canceled today
students have the day off.

23. Flying can be dangerous
1: Use a semi-colon.
2 closely related sentences. ;
Flying can be dangerous
train travel seems much safer. .

24. #2
Use a period. .
Sentence
Sentence.

25. I was late for work this morning
2: Use a period.
A period (.) creates
2 shorter sentences. .
I was late for work this morning
My boss was angry at me again. CC

26. Use a coordinating conjunction.#3
Use a coordinating conjunction.
FANBOYS
(for / and / nor / but / or / yet / so )

27. 3. Use a coordinating conjunction
Sentence
sentence.
, and
, but
, or
, so
, yet
, nor
Note the use of a comma here

28. 3. Use a coordinating conjunction
Follow this pattern:
Sentence , and sentence.
I was late for work this morning
, so
, and
my boss was angry at me again.

29. 3. Use a coordinating conjunction
, but
I never fly
I always take the train.
, for
I never fly
I always take the train.
, and
I always take the train.
I never fly DC

30. Make one sentence a dependent clause.#4
Make one sentence a dependent clause.

31. 4: Make one sentence a dependent clause.or
Sentence
dependent clause.

32. 4: Make one sentence a dependent clause.
begins with a
subordinating conjunction.
Because
Although
When If
Since
Unless

33. 4: Make one sentence a dependent clause.
Run-on ,
Because barbeque sauce contains a lot of sugar
Barbeque sauce contains a lot of sugar
it’s like pancake syrup on your food.
Dependent clause,
sentence.

34. 4: Make one sentence a dependent clause.
While many students are sleep deprived,
Many students are sleep deprived
sleeping in class is not a good idea.

35. 4: Make one sentence a dependent clause.
since I always travel by train.
I never fly
challenge

36. Comma Splices and Run-on sentences
Challenge!

37. Q: Is this a comma splice or a run-on?
Although it rained all weekend, the campers had fun the campfire even stayed lit long enough to roast marshmallows.

38. A: It’s a run-on!
Although it rained all weekend, the campers had fun the campfire even stayed lit long enough to roast marshmallows.

39. Correcting the run-on
Although it rained all weekend, the campers had fun. The campfire even stayed lit long enough to roast marshmallows.
Although it rained all weekend, the campers had fun the campfire even stayed lit long enough to roast marshmallows.
Although it rained all weekend, the campers had fun; the campfire even stayed lit long enough to roast marshmallows.

40. Q: Comma splice or a run-on?
After finding our seats, we all fell asleep, everyone was tired.

41. This comma joins 2 sentences
A: It’s a comma splice
After finding our seats, we all fell asleep, everyone was tired.
This comma joins 2 sentences

42. Correcting the comma splice
After finding our seats, we all fell asleep; everyone was tired.

43. Correcting the comma splice
After finding our seats, we all fell asleep because everyone was tired.

44. Q: How can this run-on sentence be corrected?
I drank too much coffee at work this morning I have been talking very fast.

45. A: Use a semicolon
“I drank too much coffee at work; this morning I have been talking very fast.”
“I drank too much coffee at work this morning; I have been talking very fast.”

46. A: Make 2 sentences
“I drank too much coffee. At work this morning, I have been talking very fast.”
“I drank too much coffee at work this morning. I have been talking very fast.”

47. A: Make a dependent clause
“Because I drank too much coffee at work this morning, I have been talking very fast.”

48. A: Lay off the coffee!!

49. I’ll finish this cup and then do some yoga!!!
Thanks!!!
I’ll finish this cup and then do some yoga!!!

50. Q: Where can this sentence be divided?
The students waited in the classroom for 30 minutes no one showed up.

51. The students waited in the classroom for 30 minutes no one showed up.
A: Here or here!
The students waited in the classroom for 30 minutes no one showed up.

52. Make 2 sentences
The students waited in the classroom for 30 minutes no one showed up. . F f

53. Use a coordinating conjunction
The students waited in the classroom for 30 minutes but no one showed up.
, but

54. Make a dependent clause
Although
Although the students waited in the classroom for 30 minutes no one showed up. T t ,

55. Comma splices and Run-on sentences
Review

56. 4 ways to fix comma splices & run-on sentences
Use a semicolon:
Sentence; sentence.
Use a period:
Sentence. Sentence
Use a
coordinating conjunction:
Sentence, and sentence.
, but
, or
Use a
Dependent Clause:
Dependent clause, sentence.

57. Now that you know what they are…
Avoid comma splices and run-ons in your writing!
by:
A. Campbell