avoiding run-ons & comma splices
TRANSCRIPT
Avoiding Run-on Sentences, Comma Splices, and Fragments
Getting Your Punctuation
Right!
, ;
Let’s Review: What makes a complete sentence?
It is a long fancy word, but an independent clause is simply a complete sentence. It CAN stand alone. A complete sentence has three essentials.
It has: a subject (noun) a predicate (verb) and a complete thought! Example: The sun shines brightly.
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE= SUBJECT + PREDICATE
Is your sentence also a complete thought?
What then is a dependent clause? A dependent clause
is a phrase that cannot stand alone.
You’ll often be able to recognize a dependent clause because many begin with a SUBORDINATE CONJUNCTION
STOP!
Common Subordinating Conjunctions
after since
when Although so that whenever
as supposing
where because than whereas before
that Wherever but that though whether if Though which in order While lest Unless who
no matter until why how What even though
How to punctuate sentences with subordinating conjunctions
Beginning of a sentence When you have a dependent clause at the
beginning of the sentence, you ALWAYS have to add a comma after it.
As soon as it stopped raining, we saw a double
rainbow.
Dependent , + Independent
How to punctuate sentences with subordinating conjunctions
End of a sentence If you have a dependent clause in the back/end of
the sentence, you DO NOT USUALLY need a comma.*
We saw a double rainbow as soon as it stopped
raining. Independent + Dependent
*On occasion you will need a comma when a dependent clause is at the end of the sentence, but that depends on style and clarity. For example, when the dependent clause starts with “which” or “especially.”
How to punctuate sentences with subordinating conjunctions
Middle of a sentence When you have a dependent clause in the middle
of a sentence, you need commas on both sides of the dependent clause. *
Frank, who loves to travel, will be our guide. Sub, + Dependent, + Predicate
What Is a Run-on Sentence? A run-on is when you put two
complete sentences together without any punctuation in between.
We all like grammar we all love this class.
Run-on
What Is a Comma Splice?
A comma splice is a sentence error caused by putting just a poor, weak comma between two complete sentences.
We all like grammar , we all love this class.
,
Separate them with a period, creating two complete sentences.
We all like grammar .
How Can I Correct Comma Splices and Run-ons? The 1st way is to…
We all love this class.
STOP
Now you try! Use a period to correct these run-ons and comma splices. These punctuation rules aren’t hard I
know how to avoid run-ons. These punctuation rules aren’t hard. I
know how to avoid run-ons. My new supervisor has been making all
sorts of changes, she is really causing problems.
My new supervisor has been making all sorts of changes. She is really causing problems.
Correct!
Correct!
Link them with a semicolon; this creates two complete sentences just as a period does, but the second sentence doesn’t start with a capital letter.
The sentences MUST be related in order to use a semicolon.
We like grammar ;
How Can I Correct Comma Splices and Run-ons? The 2nd way is to…
we love this class.
STOP!
No caps!
How Can I Correct Comma Splices and Run-ons? The 3rd way is to… Join the two sentences with a comma
and one of the COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS. (FOR, AND, NOR, BUT, OR, YET, SO)
We all like grammar , and we all love this class.
Now you try! Use one of the FANBOYS to correct this run-on sentence. I want a raise I want more vacation
days. I want a raise, and I want more
vacation days.Correct!
How Can I Correct Comma Splices and Run-ons? The 4th way is to…
End the first sentence with a semicolon and begin the second with a conjunctive adverb or transitional.
• We like grammar ; therefore, we love this class.
STOP
Now you try! Use a semicolon and a transitional word like therefore or however to correct this comma splice. I’m not going to give up, however, I
do sometimes get discouraged. I’m not going to give up; however, I
do sometimes get discouraged.Correct!
How Can I Correct Comma Splices and Run-ons? The last way is to…
Join the two separate sentences into one, with a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun. We all like grammar, we all love this
class.
Because we all like grammar, we all love this class.
All students who like grammar love this class.dependent clause
dependent clausecomma splice
OK!
Main Cause of Sentence Errors Confusing the Different Kinds of
Joining Words. Refer to your handbook or the
punctuation summary on the GAS website if you aren’t sure which kind of word it is and what punctuation is needed. STOPSTOP
Let’s try a few, just to make sure you can catch any punctuation errors!
Which is correct? I understand run-ons, however, I’m
still having trouble with comma splices.
I understand run-ons; however, I’m still having trouble with comma splices.
Which is correct? I have always wanted to move to
California. The weather in California is amazing.
I have always wanted to move to California, the weather in California is amazing.
Which is correct?
I’ve been given a number of new duties, for example, I now have to do all the filing.
I’ve been given a number of new duties; for example, I now have to do all the filing.
Which is correct? This grammar practice is useful; I
sometimes wish we didn’t have to do so much of it.
Although I sometimes wish we didn’t have to do so much of it, this grammar practice is useful.
The
END!
No more fragments,
comma splices, or run-on
sentences ever again!
You’ve got it!