This document discusses comma splices and run-on sentences. It defines them as sentences with two independent clauses joined incorrectly without proper punctuation or conjunction. The document provides strategies for correcting these errors such as using a semicolon, period, or conjunction. It includes examples, activities for students to identify and correct errors, and an assignment for additional practice.

2. Comma Splices and Run-on Sentences
Raja AlTukruni

3. Table of Contents
• Pre-Test 4
• Answers to Pre-Test 5
• Comma Splices and Run-on Sentences 6
• Strategies to correct/ avoid splices and run-ons 8
• Post-Test 13
• Answers to Post-Test 15
• Activity 1 16
• Answers to Activity 1 17
• Activity 2 18
• Answers to Activity 2 21
• Activity 3 22
• Answers to Activity 3 23
• Assignment 25

4. Pre-Test
Directions: Underline the run-ons and comma splices. (5 errors)
When Mark began his full-time job, he quickly ran into financial
problems. He immediately got a credit card, he began to buy expensive
clothes he also bought impressive gifts for his parents and his wife. But
Mark realized that he owed an enormous amount of money, he also
realized the need to cut up his credit card. He began keeping a careful
record of his spending he was surprised to find out where his money
was going, his parents were proud of his growing maturity.
Paragraph is adapted from https://www.elcamino.edu/academics/basicskills/DLA_EngB_ROandCS_ECC.pdf

5. Answers to Pre-Test
When Mark began his full-time job, he quickly ran into financial
problems. He immediately got a credit card, he began to buy expensive
clothes he also bought impressive gifts for his parents and his wife. But
Mark realized that he owed an enormous amount of money, he also
realized the need to cut up his credit card. He began keeping a careful
record of his spending he was surprised to find out where his money
was going, his parents were proud of his growing maturity.

6. What are Comma Splices &
Run-on Sentences?

7. Comma Splices & Run-on Sentences
Comma splices
• Two independent
clauses/ sentences are
linked by simply adding
a comma.
• For example:
Frank saw the movie, his
friend read the novel.
Run-ons
• Two independent
clauses/ sentences are
written as one.
• For example:
Frank saw the movie his
friend read the novel.

8. Are there strategies to
correct/ avoid comma splices &
run-ons?

9. Strategies to Correct/ Avoid Splices & Run-ons
ConjunctionPeriod (.)Semi-colon (;)
Insert a conjunction
(FANBOYS: for, and,
nor, but, or, yet, so)
after the comma.
Place (.) after the
first clause and start
the second clause
with a capital letter.
Use (;) to separate
main clauses/
sentences.

10. HOW?!!
 Frank saw the movie, his friend read the novel.
1. Semicolon: Frank saw the movie; his friend read the
novel.
2. Period: Frank saw the movie. His friend read the
novel.
3. Conjunction (FANBOYS): Frank saw the movie, but his
friend read the novel.

11. Practice
Directions: Correct the underlined run-ons and comma splices using
one of the strategies.
When Mark began his full-time job, he quickly ran into financial
problems. He immediately got a credit card, he began to buy expensive
clothes he also bought impressive gifts for his parents and his wife. But
Mark realized that he owed an enormous amount of money, he also
realized the need to cut up his credit card. He began keeping a careful
record of his spending he was surprised to find out where his money
was going, his parents were proud of his growing maturity.

12. Possible Answers
When Mark began his full-time job, he quickly ran into financial
problems. He immediately got a credit card, and he began to buy
expensive clothes. He also bought impressive gifts for his parents and
his wife. But Mark realized that he owed an enormous amount of
money; he also realized the need to cut up his credit card. He began
keeping a careful record of his spending, and he was surprised to find
out where his money was going. His parents were proud of his growing
maturity.

13. Post-Test
Directions: Identify whether the following sentences are: correct (C),
contain a comma splice (CS) or a run-on (RO).
• For example:
Pasta is my favorite food I don’t like pizza. (RO)

14. Cont.
1. Ann explained her project to us, it was very interesting. (_____)
2. It was raining; Jack could not find his umbrella. (_____)
3. His car would not start, he was late for work. (_____)
4. Tom wants to quiet smoking he knows this habit is very
dangerous. (_____)
5. Sam and Anna are a very nice couple they have been together for
30 years. (_____)

15. Answers to Post-Test
1. CS
2. C
3. CS
4. RO
5. RO

16. Activity 1
Directions: Correct the run-ons and splices by using one of the
strategies previously discussed.
1. Ann explained her project to us, it was very interesting.
2. His car would not start, he was late for work.
3. Tom wants to quiet smoking he knows this habit is very dangerous.
4. Sam and Anna are a very nice couple they have been together for
20 years.

17. Possible Answers
1. Ann explained her project to us; it was very interesting.
2. His car would not start, so he was late for work.
3. Tom wants to quiet smoking; he knows this habit is very
dangerous.
4. Sam and Anna are a very nice couple. They have been together
for 20 years

18. Activity 2
Directions: pair up the independent clauses below with:
a comma+ conjunction, semicolon or period.
• For example:
-He won the lottery.
-He quit his job.
He won the lottery, so he quit his job.

19. Cont.
1. I love cats.
I’m allergic.
2. We took a taxi.
Frank drove home.
3. Taylor is a graceful dancer.
Fans enjoy watching her.
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20. Cont.
4. James Cameron directed Titanic.
The movie won 11 Oscars.
5. Studying history is important.
We need to know about the past
to understand our present.
6. Friendship brings support and joy.
It’s one of the greatest gifts in life.
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-----------------------------------------
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21. Possible Answers
1. I love cats, but I’m allergic.
2. We took a taxi; Frank drove home.
3. Taylor is a graceful dancer. Fans enjoy watching her.
4. James Cameron directed Titanic; the movie won 11 Oscars.
5. Studying history is important; we need to know about the past to
understand our present.
6. Friendship brings support and joy. It’s one of the greatest gifts in
life.

22. Activity 3
Directions: Underline the errors and then correct them using the
strategies previously discussed. (4 errors)
American Idol has impacted people all around the globe, it made everyone
who watched believe they had real talent author Golway says teenagers used to
aspire to important professional jobs (e.g., engineers, mathematicians, scientists…).
He claims that now young people just want to become famous for being pop culture
icons, he thinks this is a dangerous change. This desperate desire for fame explains
why some people react so strangely when rejected on American Idol they see it as
their only option for the future.
Paragraph is adapted from http://www.edcc.edu/lsc/documents/Run-onsModule.pdf

23. Answers to Activity 3
Part1: Underline the errors:
American Idol has impacted people all around the globe, it made everyone
who watched believe they had real talent author Golway says teenagers used to
aspire to important professional jobs (e.g., engineers, mathematicians, scientists…). He
claims that now young people just want to become famous for being pop culture
icons, he thinks this is a dangerous change. This desperate desire for fame explains
why some people react so strangely when rejected on American Idol they see it as
their only option for the future.

24. Cont.
Part2: Correction (Possible Answers):
American Idol has impacted people all around the globe, and it made
everyone who watched believe they had real talent. Author Golway says teenagers
used to aspire to important professional jobs (e.g., engineers, mathematicians,
scientists…). He claims that now young people just want to become famous for being
pop culture icons; he thinks this is a dangerous change. This desperate desire for fame
explains why some people react so strangely when rejected on American Idol; they see
it as their only option for the future.

25. Assignment
1. Decide if the sentence is a comma splice or a correct sentence:
(10 Qs)
https://depts.dyc.edu/learningcenter/owl/exercises/comma_splices_
ex1.htm
2. Decide if the sentence is a run- on or a correct sentence: (10 Qs)
https://depts.dyc.edu/learningcenter/owl/exercises/run-ons_ex1.htm
3. Correct the run-ons and comma splices : (10 Qs)
http://smrtvideolessons.com/2013/07/26/run-on-sentences-and-
comma-splices/#sthash.E3zKbDta.dpbs

26. References
Finding and Fixing Run-on Sentence Errors. Retrieved from http://www.edcc.edu/lsc/documents/Run-onsModule.pdf
Online Writing Lab - Comma Splices, Exercise 1. Retrieved from
https://depts.dyc.edu/learningcenter/owl/exercises/comma_splices_ex1.htm
Online Writing Lab - Run-on Sentences, Exercise 1. Retrieved from
https://depts.dyc.edu/learningcenter/owl/exercises/run-ons_ex1.htm
Run-On Sentences and Comma Splices | Smrt Video Lessons. Retrieved from
http://smrtvideolessons.com/2013/07/26/run-on-sentences-and-comma-splices/#sthash.E3zKbDta.dpbs
Run-Ons, Comma Splices Course - El Camino College. Retrieved from
https://www.elcamino.edu/academics/basicskills/DLA_EngB_ROandCS_ECC.pdf