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CHAPTER PREVIEW

•—What's the Point ofCorrecting Comma Splicesand Fused Sentences?

^ Understanding thePoint of CorrectingComma Splices and FusedSentences: One StudentWriter's Response

•—Applying the Point:Correcting Comma Splicesand Fused Sentences

•—Writing Assignments

Run-ons: CommaSplices and FusedSentences

According to research, comma splices and fused sentences aretwo of the most common errors made by student writers. Thephotograph on these pages shows a natural phenomenon thatstirs human emotions and imagination. Read about this specialplace and then answer the question "What's the point oflearning about correcting comma splices and fused sentences?"

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WKafs the Point of Correcting CommaSplices and Fused Sentences?

Read the following short description of Niagara Falls, adapted from a 1913 essay written byRupert Brooke for the Westminster Gazette. This version contains one comma splice and threefused sentences. How do these errors affect the reading of the passage?

Niagara Falls

Haifa mile or so above the Falls, on either side, the water of the great stream

begins to run more swiftly in confusion it descends with ever-growing speed it

begins chattering and leaping, breaking into a thousand ripples, throwing up

joyful fingers of spray, sometimes it is divided by islands and rocks sometimes

the eye can see nothing but a waste of laughing, springing, foamy waves.

Adapted from "Niagara Falls," Rupert Brooke

learningjibout correcting comma splices and fused sentences?

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Understanding the Point of CorrectingComma Splices and Fused Sentences: OnStudent Writer's ResponseThe following paragraph offers one writer's response to the opening paragraph aboNiagara Falls.

s/ had to read the paragraph several titles to figure out what the author fwas saying. I couldn't tell when one sentence ended and another one istarted. I guess a cotwwa splice or fused sentence occurs because a writer <foins sentences without the proper punctuation. Without properpunctuation that signals the end of one thought and the beginning of ,another, ideas become confusing as they run on. Proper punctuationsignals the beginning or end of each sentence. Proper punctuation Makesideas clear and easy to follow. j

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Applying the Point: Correcting CommaSplices and Fused SentencesComma splices and fused sentences are punctuation errors that occur where independfclauses are improperly joined to form a compound sentence. To properly combine clauinto a compound sentence, the end of each independent clause must be signaled byappropriate punctuation, such as a semicolon, a comma followed by a coordinatingconjunction, or a period at the end of the sentence.

Comma SpliceA comma splice occurs when a comma is used by itself (without a coordinatingconjunction) to join two independent clauses.

.JL y. 1 ,j Secondhand smoke |sj a cause of disease in healthy non-smokers j §

jeach year secondhand smoke jEDs}an estimated 3,000 adultiI A r;A~ "1 C i '!nr»i"ioi-»r-n-*i>-~—

. iAinonsmokers from lung cancer.

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fused Sentencefused sentence occurs when two independent clauses are joined without17 punctuation.

VERB

econdhand smoke causes respiratory problems! it also

reddening, itching, and watering of the eyes.

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;t your ability to identify comma splices, fused sentences, and properly combined clauses.ite CS for comma splice, FS for fused sentence, or C for correctly punctuated.

. 1. More than 126 million nonsmoking Americans are exposed to secondhand smokein homes, vehicles, workplaces, and public places, almost 60 percent of U.S. childrenbetween the ages of 3 and 11—or almost 22 million children—are exposed tosecondhand smoke.

.. 2. There is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure even brief exposure canjF j be dangerous.

i. 3. Secondhand smoke, also known as environmental tobacco smoke, is a complex——mixture of gases and particles including smoke from the burning cigarette, cigar, or

pipe tip and exhaled smoke.

4. Two types of secondhand smoke exist, sidestream smoke is the smoke releasedfrom the burning end of a cigarette, exhaled mainstream smoke is the smoke exhaledby the smoker.

^tf^.. 5. Secondhand smoke \ a known human cafdno^en (cancel-causing, a^ent} move \n 50 compounds in secondhand smoke have been identified as known or »

reasonably anticipated human carcinogens secondhand smoke contains at least 250chemicals that are known to be toxic or carcinogenic.

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Five Ways to Correct Comma Splices and Fused SentencesAs a writer, you have the choice of several ways to correct or avoid comma splices and fusedsentences. Each method creates a specific effect. Most experts recommend using a variety ofthese methods, rather than always relying on the same one.

1. Separate sentences using a period and capital letterPunctuating the independent clauses as separate sentences is a method often used tocorrect comma splices and fused sentences.

Incorrect:

SUBJECT

WVEPEIWEfi/T CLAUSE

SUBJECT

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder! |! the main characteristic

of narcolepsy is overwhelming daytime sleepiness, I"A"

VERBINDEPENDENT CLAUSE

Incorrect:

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

SUBJECT VERB. \

Narcolepsy is a

FUSED SENTENCES

1chronic sleep disorder i jthe main

SUBJECT4

characteristic i

i of narcolepsy is overwhelming daytime sleepiness, j1 A i ;

VERB

Revised (Correct):

INDEPENDENT MUSE

SUBJECT VERB

I I"~" 'r

PERIOD CAPITAL LETTER

SUBJECT

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder! | |jhe main characteristic

i of narcolepsy is overwhelming daytime sleepiness, i

L tVERB

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Edit the following sentences to eliminate comma splices and fused sentences. Separate clausesby inserting a period and capital letter as needed.

t.

2.

ite

4. ai

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s are usually first

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2. Join sentences with a comma followed by a coordinatingconjunctionSentences can be properly joined by inserting a comma followed by a coordinatingconjunction between the independent clauses. The acronym FANBOYS stands foreach of the coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. This method ofcombining sentences states the relationship between ideas of equal importance.

Incorrect:

SUBJECT VERB

Chief Red Cloud (led, a successful war against the U.S. government;1

he 'Stands.as a legendary Lakota leader.!

SUBJECT VERB

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Incorrect:

INDEPENDENT MUSEmnO

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SUBJECT VERB

Chief Red Cloud led a successful war against the U.S. government!

he stands as a legendary Lakota leader.!

FUSEDSUBJECT

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

Revised (Correct):

SUBJECT

*

INDEPENDENT CLAUSEVERB

\f Red Cloud led a successful war against the U.S. government!]

I so he stands as a legendary Lakota leader, j /

SUBJECT VERBADDED coowmrm CONJUNCTIONSIGNALS A STATED EFFECT

ADDED

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

COMMA SPLICES AND FUSED SENTENCES

3. Join sentences with a semicolonUse a semicolon to join independent clauses when no conjunction is present. Asemicolon indicates that the two sentences of equal importance are so closely related thatthey can be stated as one sentence; however, a semicolon alone does not state therelationship between the two clauses. The relationship between clauses may be one of thefollowing: time, space, order of importance, general to specific, addition, cause, effect,comparison, or contrast

incorrect:

COMMA SPLICESUBJECT VERB

I A dark day in U.S. history occurred on October 29, 1929

I "Black Tuesday" is when the stock market crashed, starting the Great Depression................. "A ............. " ....... ~t t .......................... " ....................... 7 ......................................................................................

SUBJECT VERB

Incorrect:

FUSED SEMTEtvCES

SUBJECT VERB

A dark day in U.S. history occurred on October 29, 19291

"Black Tuesday" is when the stock market crashed, starting the Great Depression.

SUBJECT VERB

Revised (Correct):

SUBJECT VERB

A dark day in U.S. history occurred on October 29, 1929 j|

"Black Tuesday" is when the stock market crashed, starting the Great Depression.

SUBJECT VERB

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Edit the following sentences by inserting semicolons as needed to correct comma splices andfused sentences.

For more informationabout joining ideas ofequal importance,see pages 324-329,"Compound andComplex Sentences."

4. Join sentences with a semicolon followed by a conjunctive adverbUse a semicolon with a conjunctive adverb to join independent clauses. Conjunctiveadverbs are transition words that state the relationships between ideas of equalimportance, A few common examples include also, for example, however, then, therefore,and thus.

Incorrect:£OMM SPLICE

miter vm

\i A business plan is important for a reason |

miter nu, l \ a plan helps i

! to track, monitor, and evaluate the progress of the business. !

Incorrect:

FUSED

svma vm

\A business plan is important for a reason i|

SUBJECT VERB

« \j 1 a plan helps j

i to track, monitor, and evaluate the progress of the business. 1

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WVEPEWEIVT MUSE

Revised (Correct):

SUBJECT VERB

4DVEV SEMICOLON SEPARATES MVEPEWEMT

CONJUNCTIVE WVEM

A business plan is important for various reasons | for example j |̂ _

a plan helps to track, monitor, and evaluate the progress of the business,

SUBJECT VERB

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Not only do these transitions state the relationship between ideas, but they also introducean independent clause and must be set off with a comma.

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Edit the following sentences to correct comma splices and fused sentences. Join independentclauses with a semicolon and one of the following transitions: a/so, for example, however,therefore. Use each transition once.

a~~conjunctive aaverbuggested topic

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For more informationon complexsentences, see pages330-335,"Compound andComplex Sentences."

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5, Join sentences using a subordinating conjunctionNot all ideas are of equal importance. Frequently, writers choose to join ideas in acomplex sentence made up of an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.A subordinating conjunction signals the beginning of a dependent clause and states itssubordinate relationship to the independent clause. Some examples of subordinatingconjunctions include although, as, because, if, and when, Relative pronouns also connect adependent clause to an independent clause. Examples of relative pronouns include that,which, and who.

Incorrect:

SUBJECT VERBINDEPENDENT CLAUSE

".. am! grateful for the opportunity to work for Southeast Dental Clinic

it rewaYds the excellence and hard work of its staff,

SUBJECT VERB COMMA SPLICEINDEPENDENT CLAUSE

incorrect:

VERBINDEPENDENT CLAUSE

I jam grateful for the opportunity to work for Southeast Dental Clinic!|

it jrewardsi the excellence and hard work of its staff.

SUBJECT FUSED SENTENCES

Revised #1 (Correct):

SUBJECT VERB

I am grateful for the opportunity to work for Southeast Dental Clinic!

^rewards! the excellence and hard work of its staff.'

VERB

RELATIVE PRONOUN(SUBJECT) DEPENDENT CLAUSE

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Revised #2 (Correct):SUBJECT DEPENDENT ClAVSt

VERB

jBecausej Southeast Dental Clinic rewards! the excellence and hardi

work of its staff! 111 fim grateful for the opportunity to work for the clinc.y

—/SUBJECT WVEPEWEfi/T &AUSE

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Revise the following sentences into complex sentences to correct comma splices and fused[sentences. Use the following subordinating conjunctions: after, as, even though, which.

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