2. Commas
Comma: a punctuation mark (,) indicating a pause between
parts of a sentence or separating items in a list. (Oxford
Dictionaries, n.d.)
Examples:
When the snow stops falling, we will shovel the driveway.
Having finished the test, she left the room.
Strawberries, which are my favorite fruit, are the main ingredient
in this recipe.
The use of a comma can change the meaning of sentence
3. Source: How To Use Commas - Comma Rules. (n.d.). Retrieved October 9, 2014.
5. Comma Splices
A comma splice occurs when you use a comma to join two
complete sentences without placing an appropriate adjoining
word between them.
A run-on sentence.
I have completed my assignment, I have not submitted it.
6.
7. How to Fix a Comma Splice
1) Break the run-on sentence into two separate sentences.
Replace the comma with a period.
I have completed my assignment. I have not submitted it.
8. How to Fix a Comma Splice
2) Replace the comma with a semicolon.
I have completed my assignment; I have not submitted it.
9. How to Fix a Comma Splice
3) Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
Ex. and, but, or, yet, nor for, so
I have completed my assignment, but I have not submitted it.
10. How to Fix a Comma Splice
4) Use a subordinate conjunction.
Ex. while, although, because, if, since, unless, whether, when, why, as,
before, after, if, that, once
I have completed my assignment, although I have not submitted it.
Although I completed my assignment, I have not submitted it.
11. References
Definition of comma in English. (n.d.). Retrieved October 6, 2014.
How To Use Commas - Comma Rules. (n.d.). Retrieved October 9, 2014.
Oxford Comma. (2013, October 16). Retrieved October 11, 2014.
Editor's Notes
Cite definition
Comma splice occurs when two main clauses (two complete thoughts) are connected with a comma alone
Period is your best choice for fixing a comma splice when:
The logical connection between two independent clauses is already clear
The ideas represented in the two clauses are very closely related
Semicolon is your best choice for fixing a comma splice when:
The relationship between the two clauses is one of sequence (sequence in time or logical sequence)
Coordinating conjunction: a joiner word that connects parts of a sentence
Allow you to indicate the logical relationship between two ideas
In this example the relationship is one of contrast
But conveys the sense of contradictory
Subordinate conjunction: provides a necessary transition between the two ideas in the sentence
A subordinate conjunction can be placed at the beginning of a sentence or between the two ideas.
Sometimes a comma is used, sometimes it is not
Allow you to indicate the logical relationship between two independent clauses
Lay unequal stress on the two parts
Less stress on the clause introduces by the subordinating conjunction
In the first example the fact that I have not submitted the assignment appears as an afterthought; in the second example, it is the point