Comma Splice ErrorsComma Splice Errors

Stop abusing the comma!Stop abusing the comma!

Comma SpliceComma Splice

The grammar crime: comma splices join two The grammar crime: comma splices join two complete sentences with a comma. complete sentences with a comma.

Question: How do we know we have a comma Question: How do we know we have a comma splice?splice?

Joey went to the grocery store, he needed to Joey went to the grocery store, he needed to buy eggs for supper. buy eggs for supper. This sentence is incorrect because “Joey went to the This sentence is incorrect because “Joey went to the

grocery store” and “he needed to buy eggs for grocery store” and “he needed to buy eggs for supper” are both complete sentences. A comma supper” are both complete sentences. A comma alone cannot join two sentences. alone cannot join two sentences.

Comma SpliceComma Splice

Question: How do we catch comma splice Question: How do we catch comma splice outlaws?outlaws?

You can look for comma splices by You can look for comma splices by examining the commas in the sentences examining the commas in the sentences you see. Compare the clauses it you see. Compare the clauses it separates; if they can act as complete separates; if they can act as complete sentences, you have caught a comma sentences, you have caught a comma splice outlaw. splice outlaw.

Comma SpliceComma Splice

Question: How do we rehabilitate comma Question: How do we rehabilitate comma splice outlaws? splice outlaws?

There are five main methods of fixing There are five main methods of fixing commas splices:commas splices:

1. We can separate the two clauses into two 1. We can separate the two clauses into two sentences by replacing the comma with a sentences by replacing the comma with a period.period.Joey went to the grocery store. He needed to Joey went to the grocery store. He needed to

buy eggs for supper. buy eggs for supper.

Comma SpliceComma Splice

2. We can replace the comma with a semi-2. We can replace the comma with a semi-colon.colon.Joey went to the grocery store; he needed to Joey went to the grocery store; he needed to

buy eggs for supper. buy eggs for supper.

* You can only use a semi-colon when both * You can only use a semi-colon when both complete sentences are related. The following complete sentences are related. The following is incorrect: Joey went to the grocery store; he is incorrect: Joey went to the grocery store; he works at Walmart.works at Walmart.

Comma SpliceComma Splice

3. We can replace the comma with a 3. We can replace the comma with a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, for, coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, for, yet, nor, or so). yet, nor, or so). Each of these words implies a relationship, so Each of these words implies a relationship, so

be careful that you retain the meaning of the be careful that you retain the meaning of the sentence when you use these conjunctions. sentence when you use these conjunctions. Note also that usually you need to place a Note also that usually you need to place a comma before the conjunction.comma before the conjunction.Joey went to the grocery store, for he needed to Joey went to the grocery store, for he needed to

buy eggs for supper. buy eggs for supper.

Comma SpliceComma Splice

4. We can replace the comma with a 4. We can replace the comma with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., after, subordinating conjunction (e.g., after, although, before, unless, as, because, although, before, unless, as, because, even though, if, since, until, when, while).even though, if, since, until, when, while).By doing this, you change one of the By doing this, you change one of the

independent clauses into a dependent clause. independent clauses into a dependent clause. Joey went to the store because he needed to buy Joey went to the store because he needed to buy

eggs for supper. eggs for supper.

Comma SpliceComma Splice

5. Replace the comma with a semi-colon 5. Replace the comma with a semi-colon and transitional word (e.g., however, and transitional word (e.g., however, moreover, on the other hand, moreover, on the other hand, nevertheless, instead, also, therefore, nevertheless, instead, also, therefore, consequently, otherwise, as a result).consequently, otherwise, as a result).Note: You need to place a semi-colon before Note: You need to place a semi-colon before

the transitional word, and a comma after the the transitional word, and a comma after the word. word.

Run On SentenceRun On Sentence

Run-on sentences join two or more complete Run-on sentences join two or more complete sentences with no punctuation.sentences with no punctuation.

How do we know we have a run-on sentence?How do we know we have a run-on sentence? Michaela loves to draw horses she is a talented Michaela loves to draw horses she is a talented

artist. artist. This sentence is incorrect because “Michaela loves to This sentence is incorrect because “Michaela loves to

draw horses” and “she is a talented artist” can both draw horses” and “she is a talented artist” can both stand as complete sentences. stand as complete sentences.

Run On SentencesRun On Sentences

How do we rehabilitate run on outlaws? How do we rehabilitate run on outlaws? There are three main methods of fixing There are three main methods of fixing

them:them:1.1. Add a periodAdd a period2.2. Add a semicolonAdd a semicolon3.3. Add a conjunctionAdd a conjunction

Run On SentencesRun On Sentences

Michaela loves to draw horses she is a Michaela loves to draw horses she is a talented artist.talented artist.Michaela loves to draw horses. She is a Michaela loves to draw horses. She is a

talented artist.talented artist.Michaela loves to draw horses; she is a Michaela loves to draw horses; she is a

talented artist.talented artist.Michaela loves to draw horses, as she is a Michaela loves to draw horses, as she is a

talented artist.talented artist.

Fix These Sentences!Fix These Sentences!

1. Bill and Ted had an excellent adventure, they 1. Bill and Ted had an excellent adventure, they traveled through time to meet famous people.traveled through time to meet famous people.

2. W. C. Fields once said, “I am free of all 2. W. C. Fields once said, “I am free of all prejudice, I hate everyone equally.”prejudice, I hate everyone equally.”

3. The lectures are interesting and the reading is 3. The lectures are interesting and the reading is fun, however, I don’t like my professor.fun, however, I don’t like my professor.

4. Some think he is crazy, others believe he is a 4. Some think he is crazy, others believe he is a genius.genius.

5. The weather was so hot, we ran through the 5. The weather was so hot, we ran through the neighbour’s sprinkler.neighbour’s sprinkler.