Run-On Sentences

and Comma Splices

Run-On Sentences

Definition: Two or more independent clauses joined together without a

coordinating conjunction and without punctuation

(Independent Clause + Independent Clause) -

Punctuation - Coordinating Conjunction
=
Run-On Sentence
Review: Coordinating Conjunctions

What are they?

For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So
Definition: They connect words, phrases, and clauses of equal value
Run-On Sentences
Example:

Janet left for work early she arrived late.

Comma Splice
Definition: Two or more independent clauses that are joined by a comma, but not
a coordinating conjunction

(Independent Clause + Independent Clause + Comma) -

Coordinating Conjunction
=
Comma Splice
Comma Splice
Example:

Janet left for work early, she arrived

late.
How do we fix these?
1) Use a period.
a) Janet left for work early. She arrived late.
2) Use a semicolon.
a) Janet left for work early; she arrived late.
3) Use a comma + a coordinating conjunction
a) Janet left for work early, but she arrived late.
4) Use a semicolon + a transitional word (however, besides, consequently, etc.)
a) Janet left for work early; however, she arrived late.
5) Change one of the clauses to make it subordinate
a) Although Janet left for work early, she arrived late.