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