Spotting the differences between a comma splice and a fused sentence skills practiced. Comma splices and runons comma splices and runon sentences are caused by punctuation errors and are corrected in similar ways. One incorrect use of the comma is called a comma splice. A comma splice is a grammatical error and a misuse of the comma. Runon sentences and comma splices are closely related errors.
A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses. Join the independent clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction. Unfortunately, few american english teachers are aware that there is a type of comma splice that is perfectly acceptable, and so they mark all comma splices as errors. It sometimes also goes by the name comma fault or comma error, but i think comma splice makes the most sense because the problem is using a comma to splice together things that the comma wasnt meant to splice or join. Adapted from the borzoi handbook for writers, 1993. I am not angry with you, but i am not happy with you, either. The sky turned gray bolts of lightning flashed in the east thunder rolled across the mountains. Correcting runons and comma splices runon sentences and comma splices confuse readers by eliminating natural pauses and necessary words. Your corrected sentence will have an independent and a dependent clause. Most standardized tests will assess your ability to identify and correct a comma splice. First, read the second excerpt about how to create a positive attitude and stop procrastinating from the lane community college website.
Understanding clauses a clause is comprised of at least one subject and one verb. A comma splice occurs when writers join two independent clauses with a. The comma just isnt strong enough to do the job of making one grammatical sentence out of two. A comma splice occurs when you use a comma to join two complete sentences without placing an appropriate joining word between them. Word processors like microsoft word can catch many grammatical errors, but they arent perfect.
Use this worksheet and accompanying quiz to practice these skills. A comma splice happens when you use a comma to join two independent clauses. Avoiding comma splices identify whether the following sentences, written in nonfiction prose, include a comma splice. Common grammar errors can keep students from presenting their best writing.
Recognizing runons and comma splices practice khan. First, read the last excerpt about how to create a positive attitude and stop procrastinating from the lane community college website. Its important to remember to use proper punctuation to separate your independent clauses. You can use a sentence comma corrector or run on and comma splice checker, according to your requirements important thing is to know the features and use them properly. Comma splices are one of the errors addressed in the 2014. Im allergic to nuts but not peanuts, they are a legume.
Its helpful to know how to fnd and prevent these common errors. A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses two clauses that can stand on their own as complete sentences are joined by a comma without a conjunction words such as and, yet, but, and so on. Write cs for all sentences that contain a comma splice. A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses groups of words that can stand alone as sentences are joined together by a comma. A comma splice mistake can be seen in our second example the data are inconclusive, the researchers will repeat the experiment. Because comma splices and fused sentences contain two main clauses, you can always add a period a full stop at the end of the first clause and then begin the second one with a capital letter. It incorrectly joins two clauses with a comma only. Before i start explaining what a comma splice is and how to correct one, i want to make it clear that not all comma splices are errors. Fragments are generally very careless errors that show a lack of revision effort. Because of the amount of rain in the southern region of brazil, residents have been advised to prepare for flooding. Learn to recognize what comma splices look like, and be sure to avoid.
A comma may be used to separate a second clause which reverses a negative first clause. Our mission is to provide a free, worldclass education to anyone, anywhere. Comma splices and runon sentences are caused by punctuation errors and are corrected in similar ways. I got the feeling its not a compliment, my teacher doesnt like the way i write.
Joseph cornell was an innovative american artist known for his shadow boxes and collages, his art became more famous after his death in 1972. The students have worked hard to prepare for the exam, the class should be proud. Two independent clauses cannot be joined without a proper conjunction or without proper punctuation. Think about all the bad results that will happen if you dont work. Writing problems such as parallelism, subjectverb agreement, and pronounantecedent agreement pops up with secondary students. Comma splice answer keyteaching tips, this answer keytip sheet contains the answer key and teaching tips for both the primary comma splice worksheet and the supplemental exercise sheet. Lets use the above example to show how to fix comma splices. To fix a comma splice or fused sentence, use one of the four strategies below. Strategies for avoiding runons comma splices and fused sentences p. Worksheet 1 provides an explanation of comma splices, along with directions on correcting them. Some people use the term runon sentence to refer both to fused sentences and comma splices. Runons, comma splices, and fragments runons, comma splices, and fragmented sentences are the bane of the college students existence. First, we have to figure out what a comma splice is.
Therefore, they should be corrected in any type of writing, be it formal, informal, essays, etc. I love going to the park on the weekends, it is really relaxing. A comma splice is the use of a comma without a conjunction to join two independent clauses. Comma splice checker online fix comma splices and runons. Thus, if we change the first clause in a sentence containing a comma splice into a subordinate clause, we can fix the error. In this article well learn 3 different ways to fix a comma. It includes eight sentences for students to work with. Learn to recognize what comma splices look like, and be sure to avoid them in your essays.
Displaying all worksheets related to run on sentences and comma splices. A comma is not strong enough to perform this function, which causes the problem. Comma splices and fused sentences are common punctuation pattern errors that are easily corrected. Comma splices and fused sentences san jose state university.
Worksheets are, run on sentences and comma splices work 1, fragments and run ons, grammar homework 1 run on sentences comma splices, comma splices run ons and fragments, fragments comma splices run ons, run on sentences comma splices and. A runon sentence occurs when multiple independent clauses are unpunctuated or lack connections in a single. Rules for finding and fixing comma splices and fused. Similarly, a comma splice joins two independent clauses with punctuation that is incorrect, for example. Comma splice is a common problem when it comes to punctuation and that is the reason comma splice checker online is getting popular around the world.
That night the princess did not sleep, she danced the night away. As shown above, a subordinate clause includes a subordinating conjunction in this case, because and does not form a full sentence by itself. Comma splice examples, rectifications, and exceptions. A closely related grammatical error is the runon sentence. A comma splice occurs when you use a comma to separate two independent clauses. As such, the comma splice is the major error, and can be corrected in any of the manners mentioned below.
Comma splices can be considered runon sentences, or simply punctuation errors. If adding a conjunction doesnt seem to work, you can change the. Runons and comma splices runon sentences and comma splices are closely related errors. A comma splice consists of two or more independent clauses that follow one another and are incorrectly linked together only with a comma or commas. Some grammar books have them connected with runons.
Lets understand how to fix a comma splice by rewriting the statement in different ways. A comma splice occurs when two or more complete sentences are joined only with a comma, which is not strong enough punctuation. A comma splice, also called a runon, occurs when a writer has connected two main clauses with a comma alone. This handout discusses first, how to identify these mistakes, and second.
Fragments, comma splices, and runons return to writing strategies download a pdf version of this resource. Comma splices occur when the writer connects the two sentences with just a comma. Rules for finding and fixing comma splices and fused sentences. A runon sentence occurs when multiple independent clauses are unpunctuated or lack. Fragments, runons, and comma splices identifying fragments, runons and comma splices. How to fix comma splices proofeds writing tips blog. One way to fix a comma splice is to add a conjunction immediately after the comma. Comma splices, or comma faults, are common errors in punctuation. Here are some tips on recognizing and correcting these mistakes. To form a grammatically correct sentence, a comma should be followed by a coordinating conjunction or changed into a semicolon.
In the following exercise, indicate whether an item is a comma splice cs or is correct c. Correct these runons and comma splices by inserting a dependent conjunction in each sentence. A comma splice is when writers place a comma where they need a period, semicolon, or coordinating conjunction and comma. A main clause makes a complete thought, so you should not find a wimpy comma struggling to join two such powerful clauses. Automatic detection of comma splices semantic scholar. Runons and comma splices identifying runon and comma splice errors. The activities in this grammar bundle aim to target those areas so you can address writing errors. Combining clauses to avoid comma splices, runons, and. Depending upon the emphasis you want to communicate, there are several ways to correct a runon or a comma splice. Ellen had her hands full taking care of stephen, he was at the age where he was full of mischief. There should be some logic to the way you rewrite a sentence in order to correct a comma splice. When a sentence does include a comma splice, suggest alternatives to the use of the comma or explain why the splice is acceptable. It occurs when two main or independent clauses are incorrectly combined using only a comma. Setting goals may be scary although it is necessary.
With most comma splices, the conjunction youll want to add is probably and, but, or so. Comma splices a comma splice occurs when two independent clauses or complete sentences are joined by a comma. To understand comma splices you must understand grammatical terms like clause and independent clause. By turning your runons and comma splices into compound sentences, you will greatly improve the readability of your writing. First, you can split the part before the comma and the part after the comma into two complete sentences with a period you could also use a semicolon for a less defined split. Like runons, comma splices can be confusing to the reader because of the way they incorrectly emphasize words and the way they distort the pace with which you want readers to read your sentences. A comma splice cs or a fused sentence fs occurs when. Run on sentences and comma splices lesson worksheets. Conll shared task on grammatical error cor rection ng et al. Sentence fragments, comma splices, and runon sentences are three of the most common writing errors.