run-ons, fused sentences, comma splices

1. F U S E D S E N T E N C E S A N D C O M M A S P L I C E S
Run-on Sentences

2. Notes for the Following Example Sentences
 Corrections are marked in red.
 I have underlined each subject/predicate pair to help you locate
them.
 Remember that subjects and predicates never appear in a
prepositional phrase.

3. Two or more independent
clauses that have not been
joined correctly and run
together without the
proper punctuation
What is a Run-On Sentence?

4. Fused Sentence Comma Splice
 two or more complete
sentences joined
together with no
punctuation
 Example:
 Original: We went to
get ice cream I got a
chocolate sundae.
 two or more complete
sentences joined by
just a comma
 Example:
 Original: Sally loves
sports, she is a big fan
of basketball.
Two Types of Run-on Sentences

5. To join two complete
sentences together,
you must use more
than a comma.
Rule #1:

6. Correcting Run-on Sentences
 Run-on sentences can be corrected by:
1) adding a comma with a coordinating conjunction*
2) adding a semi-colon between the clauses
3) adding a period to create separate sentences
4) adding a subordinating conjunction**
5) restructuring the sentence

7. *Coordinating Conjunctions

8. Using Coordinating Conjunctions
 Create a concise and complex sentence by adding
a comma with one of the seven coordinating
conjunctions: and, but, or, for, nor, so, yet.
 Example:
 Original: You have been pre-approved for auto financing, you
must contact us today!
 Revised: You have been pre-approved for auto financing, but
you must contact us today!

9. **Subordinating Conjunctions
When
Even if
Unless

10. Using Subordinating Conjunctions
 If one of the clauses seems to be less important,
turn it into a subordinate clause or phrase by using
a subordinating conjunction.
 Example:
 Original: Many scholars dismiss the abominable snowman of the
Himalayas as a myth, others claim it may be a kind of ape.
 Revised: Although many scholars dismiss the abominable
snowman of the Himalayas as a myth, others claim it may be a
kind of ape.

11. Correcting Fused Sentences
 Fused Sentence - no punctuation
 Example:
 Original: We went to get ice cream I got a chocolate sundae.
 Revised: We went to get ice cream, and I got a chocolate sundae.
 Revised: We went to get ice cream; I got a chocolate sundae.
 Revised: We went to get ice cream. I got a chocolate sundae.
 Revised: When we went to get ice cream, I got a chocolate
sundae.
 Revised: We went to the ice cream parlor to get a chocolate
sundae.

12. Correcting Comma Splices
 Comma splice - just a comma
 Example:
 Original: Sally loves sports, she is a big fan of basketball.
 Revised: Sally loves sports, but she is a big fan of basketball.
 Revised: Sally loves sports; she is a big fan of basketball.
 Revised: Sally loves sports. She is a big fan of basketball.
 Revised: While Sally loves sports, she is a big fan of basketball.
 Revised: Sally loves sports, especially basketball.

13. How to Punctuate a Run-on
 A semicolon is required between independent
clauses that have been linked with a mid-sentence
transition (such as: however, therefore, moreover,
in fact, or for example)
 Ex: Bill worked late into the evening; therefore, he
missed his daughter’s recital.

14. How to Punctuate a Run-on
 If the second clause summarizes or explains the
clause preceding it, a colon or a dash would be an
acceptable method of revision.
 Ex: My mother found the perfect recipe for the leftovers
in our refrigerator – her famous chicken divan is one of
our favorites.

15. How to Punctuate a Run-on
 In cases where the first clause precedes a
quotation, a colon can be used.
 Ex: Benjamin Franklin warned the nation about wasteful
spending: “A penny saved is a penny earned.”

16. How to Identify a Run-on
Does the sentence contain two pairs of subjects and predicates?
YES NO
Good work! Not a run-on sentence, no revision necessary.
Are the
clauses joined
with a
comma and a
coordinating
conjunction?
Are the
clauses joined
with a
semicolon,
colon, or
dash?
Is one subject/
predicate pair
inside a
prepositional
or subordinate
phrase?
YES YES YESNO NO NO
Oops…this
is a run-on
sentence.
Revise!

17. Additional Exercises
 “Repairing Run-on Sentences” at Capital Community College:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/GRAMMAR/quizzes/runons_quiz.
htm