Comma splices, used sentences, and run-ons occur because two complete sentences (independent clauses) are joined incorrectly.
Comma splice
Comma splices are two complete sentences that are joined with only a comma.
Fused sentence
Fused sentences are two sentences
joined together with nothing between them.
Run-on
Run-ons are two sentences joined
together with only a coordinating
conjunction.
These are inappropriate ways to join sentences together because readers need a signal that one main clause is ending and another is beginning.
If the correct signal is not present, a reader can become momentarily confused, and the sequence of ideas will become difficult to follow. In essence, the sentences will crash.
To correct this problem, you can think of complete sentences as individual "scenes" that can be arranged in five different ways.
Separate the clauses with a period. This is the strongest method of
separating sentences.
You can join the clauses with a semicolon
if you want to separate the two sentences but still keep their ideas close
together.
Sometimes, you may want to make the second sentence relate to the first.
You can use a semicolon with a relationship word (conjunctive
adverb) followed by a comma.
You can also use a comma with a coordinating conjunction. These must
be used together in order to create the strong separation needed between the
two sentences.
You can make one sentence part of, or subordinate to, the other sentence
by adding a subordinator. If a subordinator is placed before the first sentence,
you will need to insert a comma after the first sentence.
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This page was originally written by Judith Kilborn for the Write Place, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN. Kelly A. Larson and Keith Ewing completed the html markup. The handout may be copied for educational purposes only. If you copy this document, please include our copyright notice and the name of the writer; if you revise it, please add your name to the list of writers.
Last update: 15 November 2004
URL: http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/ punct/avcsfsro.html
