Avoiding Run-on Sentences, Comma Splices

Getting Your Punctuation Right!

, ;

What is a Run-on Sentence? A run-on is a sentence error caused by

running one sentence into another, without putting any punctuation in between.

We all like writing we all love this class.

Run-on

What Is a Comma Splice?

A comma splice is a sentence error caused by putting only a comma between two complete sentences.

We all like writing , we all love this class.

,

1. Separate them with a period, creating two complete sentences.

We all like writing .

How Can I Correct Comma Splices and Run-ons? The FIRST way is to…

We all love this class.

STOP

Now you try! Use a period to correct these run-ons and comma splices.

1. I received a letter it was from my overseas friend.

2. I received a letter. It was from my overseas friend.

3. My supervisor has been making a lot of changes, she is really causing problems.

4. My supervisor has been making a lot of changes. She is really causing problems.

Correct!

Correct!

How Can I Correct Comma Splices and Run-ons? The SECOND way is to…

2. Join the two sentences with a comma and one of the FANBOYS.

FOR, AND, NOR, BUT, OR, YET, SO

We all like writing , and we all love this class.

Now you try! Use one of the FANBOYS to correct this run-on sentence.

1. I want a promotion I want more vacation days.

2. I want a promotion, and I want more vacation days.

Correct!

Now you try! Use one of the FANBOYS to correct this run-on sentence.

1. Men like to shop quickly women like to browse.

2. Men like to shop quickly, but women like to browse.

Correct!

Now you try!

1. My best subject is English my worst subject is computer science.

2. My best subject is English. My worst subject is computer science.

3. My best subject is English, but my worst subject is computer science.

Correct!

Correct!

Which is correct?

1. I have a back problem I usually go to a chiropractor.

2. I have a back problem, so I usually go to a chiropractor.

Which is correct?

1. College is not like high school. It is a lot harder.

2. College is not like high school it is a lot harder.

Which is correct?

1. Tanya got an excellent grade on her test, She studied really hard.

2. Tanya got an excellent grade on her test, for she studied really hard.

Which is correct?

1. I’ve been given a number of new duties, for example, I now have to do all the filing.

2. I’ve been given a number of new duties. I now have to do all the filing.

Which is correct?

1. Ali did not agree with the method he was taught, he found other means to solve the problem.

2. Ali did not agree with the method he was taught, so he found other means to solve the problem.

Which is correct?

1. Maria and John like tennis, but Karen does not.

2. Maria and John like tennis Karen does not.

Correct the following run-ons and comma splices:1. Some people are friendly I like to talk to them.

2. Math is a hard subject you have to study every day.

3. She went to the mall, she went to the birthday party.

4. Tom delivered newspapers in the rain he got very wet.

5. On Monday we went outside for a short break, it was fun

6. The kids had a snack they ate too much.

7. The show begins at 7:30 make sure you're there before 7:15.

My mother’s cousin owned a hotel, I worked there as a young woman. I enjoyed doing this work very much I met many interesting people. One time a family came to stay in the hotel. They had a daughter, she was my age. We often met and talked about our lives. I invited her to my house to meet my family. We shared our customs with her later my mother told me something unforgettable. She said, “I know that you are going to live in America.” My mother was a very smart woman she was right. I came to America to search for my friend. I am still looking.

The

END!

No more comma splices,

or run-on sentences ever

again!

You’ve got it!!!