Fragments, runons, and comma splices sentence fragments a fragment is an incomplete statement. The comma spliceconsists of two independent clauses with only a comma between them. A comma by itself cannot join two independent clauses. Sentences and comma splices are specific types of runon sentences. In this video, we will discuss runon sentences and comma splices in english. This handout defines various sentence structures, presents sample sentences, and provides strategies for correcting runons, comma splices, and fragments.
A comma splice occurs when a writer joins two independent clauses with only a comma, which on its own is insufficient coordination. A fragment is missing either a subject or a verb, making it just a fragment of a sentence rather than a. When you use a comma to connect two independent clauses, it must be accompanied by a little conjunction and, but, for, nor, yet, or, so. Comma splices and runon sentences are caused by punctuation errors and are corrected in similar ways. Wcu writing and learning commons editing to eliminate. Runons and comma splices occur when a writer accidentally joins two or more complete sentences also called independent clauses incorrectly. Utah valley university uvu does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation.
There is a difference between a sentence that is grammatically a runon and a complex sentence that is correctly punctuated, but long and unwieldy nevertheless. Correcting runons and comma splices runon sentences and comma splices confuse readers by eliminating natural pauses and necessary words. Practice activities are included to help build skills in sentence clarity and variety. Wcu writing and learning commons editing to eliminate fragments, runons, and comma splices fragments, runons, and comma splices should be edited from your paper once you have a complete draft.
In order to be complete, a sentence must have a subject and predicate that form an independent. Runons and comma splices in order to be complete, a sentence must have a subject and predicate that form an independent clause. Begin with your last sentence and read your paper backwards one sentence at a time. An excellent practice worksheet to help students understand what a comma splice is and to practice correcting them. Complete sentence independent clause table of contents part i. Run on sentences and comma splices worksheets lesson. Like runons, comma splices can be confusing to the reader because of the way they incorrectly emphasize words and the way they distort the pace with which you want readers to read your sentences. Dont worry about them until your draft is finished. If one of these requirements is missing, the group of words is a sentence fragment. Not all long sentences are runons, and not all runons are long sentences. Runon sentences problem a runon sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are not joined correctly. It includes eight sentences for students to work with.
The runon sentence and comma splice are common punctuation errors that can create confusion in your writing. The subject is a noun or pronoun that names the topic of the sentence. The above are all names given to compound sentences that are not punctuated correctly. Rules for finding and fixing comma splices and fused. Dogs are one of the best pets a person can have, they are loving and loyal. Do not use a semicolon before a transitional word that does not begin a main clause. It is correct to join two main clauses with a comma and a transitional word.
Every main clause contains an independent subject and verb and can stand alone as a complete sentence. An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence, as in, the dog runs. Comma splices, runons, and fragments search this guide go. Worksheet 1 provides an explanation of comma splices, along with directions on correcting them. Write the letter of that sentence in the space provided. Exercise in the blanks provided, indicate whether the following sentences are correct c or contain a comma splice cs or a runon r0. A fused sentence occurs when two independent clauses are joined together without any connecting punctuation. The example just above about the sunscreen is a commasplice.
You may want to refer to the fix runons and comma splices handout to help you spot the correct sentences in the online exercises. Voiceover right, the commas being used but we need some bigger punctuation in place of the comma, something like a semicolon, in order to make a distinction between those two independent clauses. A runon or fused sentence occurs when no punctuation at all separates. Worksheets 2 and 3 provide 16 exercises each, with ample space for students to write out the answers in complete sentences. Joseph cornell was an innovative american artist known for his shadow boxes and collages, his art became more famous after his death in 1972. Runons fused sentences comma splices the above are all names given to compound sentences that are not punctuated correctly. You have a couple more, but still limited, options for joining them with coordination.
You should avoid comma splices in formal writing, but now that you know the rule, you can sometimes break it in more artistic types of writing. Sentence fragments, comma splices, and runon sentences are three of. They are problem sentences that contain two or more main clauses incorrectly joined together. A runon sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are combined without correct punctuation. This powerpoint presentation will reinforce their learning of correct sentence structures and help them edit their own writing for sentence errors. First, practice identifying runons and comma splices. Comma splices a comma splice occurs when two independent clauses or complete sentences are joined by a comma. Return to all guides the data are inconclusive the researchers will repeat their experiment.
A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses. More on compound sentences a comma splice occurs when a comma. Long sentences might actually be beautifully written. By turning your runons and comma splices into compound sentences, you will greatly improve the readability of your writing. Combining clauses to avoid comma splices, runons, and. Although this skill is introduced in 4th5th grade, students often may have trouble correcting comma splices into adulthood, therefore, practice is applicable at all grade levels. Test 4 in each group below, one sentence is punctuated correctly. Maverick waves are the best waves to surf, and surfng is exciting. This lesson examines the two types of runon sentences fused sentences and comma splices and explains how to identify and correct them in your writing. Combining clauses to avoid comma splices, runons, and fragments. An independent clause is a complete, simple sentence, meaning that it contains a subject, a verb, and a complete thought.
Incorrect how to find comma splices and runons in your own writing. Fragments, runons, and comma splices what you need to know written for the student learning center by thelma sorrentino, september 2007 updated january 2010 and august 21010. I love watching movies i am a regular customer at blockbuster. Being able to judge the difference between an acceptable and unaccept able sentence fragment comes.
Comma splices, runons, and fused sentences are all names that refer to compound sentences that arent punctuated properly. As seen in the above examples, runon sentences can be relatively short. Fragments, comma splices, and runons return to writing strategies download a pdf version of this resource. Runons, comma splices, and fragments consider using a conjunction and a comma, just like with the runon examples. Comma splices and runon sentences pearson custom publishing. The runon differs from the comma splice in only one respect. This document should only be used as a reference and should not replace assignment guidelines. My brothers roommate at college is a really nice person, but he needs to bathe more.
Fragments and runons this module will cover run on sentences, comma splices and fragments. Your writing may be confusing or unclear if independent clauses are joined incorrectly. Every sentence needs a subject and a verb, and if one of these elements is missing, the meaning is unclear. Research shows that students often learn best when they. The only criterion is that the sentence contains more than one independent clause joined incorrectly. Commas beyond commas other punctuation marks sentence patterns. It will enable the student to identify potential runons and fragments as well as determine the appropriate way to fix them fragments are sentences that are incomplete. Runon sentences, comma splices, fragments when 2 or more simple sentences are joined together in the wrong way, the result is either a runon sentence subject verb subject verb or a comma splice subject verb, subject verb.
Voiceover so that is how you identify and fix runons and comma splices. S3a identifying comma splices write cs after each item that contains a comma splice and no cs after those that do not. Runons and comma splices i 95 runons and comma splices i. In fiction, for instance, you might use a comma splice to convey a characters racing thoughts or observations. Answers to evennumbered items can be found at the back of the book. A sentence must have a subject and a verb, and it must express a complete thought.
A runon sentence occurs when multiple independent clauses are unpunctuated or lack connections in a single sentence, while a comma splice occurs when a. You may always use a period to separate independent clauses. Maria exceeded her sales quota, she received a bonus. Runons and comma splices occur when a writer accidentally joins two or more complete sentences also called independent clauses. Click on popout icon or print icon to worksheet to print or download. Written for the student learning center by thelma sorrentino, september 2007. Complete sentence independent clause table of contents. A comma splice occurs when two or more complete sentences are joined only with a comma, which is not strong enough punctuation. Because the flow of thought is interrupted, you can more easily look at each.
A runon or fused sentence is two independent clauses run or fused together with no punctuation. Sentence fragments, comma splices and runon sentences fragments, comma splices and runons, the most common problems faced by writers, may be caught by proofreading. Sentence fragments, comma splices and runon sentences. Shudder the bane of every students existence what are they.