What You Need to Know About Comma Splices and Run on Sentences

MINI LESSON: PUNCTUATION ERROR – COMMA SPLICES (Adapted from: http://www.uvsc.edu/owl/handouts/commas.html) Comma splices are a serious writing error because they indicate the writer does not understand sentence structure. It is important to learn how to identify and correct them. Coordinating Conjunctions Coordinating conjunctions can be used to fix comma splices. It's important to know what they are. You can remember the seven coordinating conjunctions with the acronym FANBOYS: For And Nor But Or Yet So 1. What is a Comma Splice? A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses (complete sentences) are joined together by a comma. Example: I bought a gas grill two weeks ago, I cook on it every day. First, look at the clause before the comma – it is an independent clause. Second, look at the clause after the comma – it is also an independent clause. Since both clauses are independent they could both stand alone as complete sentences and should be punctuated with a period: I bought a gas grill two weeks ago. I cook on it every day.

Punctuation Rule: Two independent clauses CANNOT be joined by a comma; instead, they must be joined by either a coordinating conjunction and a comma (but you don’t always need the comma), or a semi-colon. The two clauses may also be separated by a period (but be sure this doesn’t create a new issue: short, choppy sentences). Another option is rearrange the ideas in your clauses (sentences) to eliminate the error.

Four ways you could fix the problem:

 Example: I bought a gas grill two weeks ago, and I cook on it every day. (In this example the clauses are joined by a comma and the coordinating conjunction and)

 Example: I bought a gas grill two weeks ago; I cook on it every day. (In this example the clauses are joined by a semi-colon)

 Example: I bought a gas grill two weeks ago. I cook on it every day. (In this example the clauses are separated by a period.)

 Example: I love cooking every day on the gas grill I bought two weeks ago. (rearranged)

In summary, you should know that a comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined together with a comma. You should also know the four simple ways to correct comma splices:

1) Replace the comma with a period.

2) Replace the comma with a semi colon.

3) Add a coordinating conjunction after the comma. Coordinating conjunctions are these words: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS). 4) Rearrange the sentence to eliminate the error.

Complete the activity on the back side of this page.

Comma splice Activity: Examine the following sentences. Some of the sentences contain comma splices and some use commas correctly. Can you spot the mistakes? a) In those sentences that contain comma splices, circle the misused comma. On the line below indicate how you could correct the sentence. Try each of the four options for correcting comma splices at least once. If the sentence uses the comma correctly, write correct on the line.

1. The man drove a red Mercedes, he didn't stop when he hit the pedestrian.

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2. I love chocolate ice cream, she likes vanilla.

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3. When he woke up, his alarm had been going off for an hour.

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4. The police asked us questions, we didn't know the answers.

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5. Although she is 16, her parents won't let her get her license.

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6. Since we are going out to dinner, I booked a babysitter.

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7. He really likes Emily, she doesn't like him.

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8. I have his phone number, he wants you to call him.

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9. We stayed up all night studying, the test was really easy.

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10. English class with Ms. Engram is the best, so we should buy her a present. ______

Now that you have learned about comma splices, review your writing to correct any comma errors you may have made.