UWF%20WRITING%20LAB%20RULES%20OF%20THUMB%20FOR%20RECOGNIZING%20COMMA%20SPLICES%20AND%20RUN-ONS

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UWF WRITING LABRULES OF THUMB FOR RECOGNIZING
COMMA SPLICES AND RUN-ONS

• From
• Real Good Grammar, Too
• by Mamie Webb Hixon

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SENTENCINGJust for Fun A Little Grammar
Humor!

• RULES FOR BUILDING BETTER SENTENCES
• Dont write run-on sentences they are hard to
  read.
• Do not separate two sentences with a comma, use a
  semicolon or a period instead.
• And no sentence fragments.

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SENTENCING

• Each of the word groups on the preceding slide
  contains a Sentence Error
• A RUN-ON SENTENCE
• A COMMA SPLICE
• A FRAGMENT

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Sentence errors can derail the reader.

• I need to work on my grammar when I get back from
  Europe, I will have to stop by the Writing Lab.
• THE RUN-ON SENTENCE CAUSES MISREADING.

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WHAT IS THE WRITER SAYING?

• I need to work on my grammar when I get back
  from Europe, I will have to stop by the Writing
  Lab.
• OR
• I need to work on my grammar when I get back from
  Europe I will have to stop by the Writing Lab.

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There are three major sentence errors.

• RUN-ON SENTENCE Two sentences running together
  without any punctuation separating them or any
  conjunction joining them.
• COMMA SPLICE Two sentences separated only by a
  comma.
• FRAGMENT An incomplete thought

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Is the word group below a run-on sentence?

• The scandal broke after the teacher was charged
  with sexual harassment so the administration and
  the school board issued a statement to the media
  to dispel any rumors.

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THIS IS NOT A RUN-ON SENTENCE

• The scandal broke after the teacher was charged
  with sexual harassment so the administration and
  the school board issued a statement to the media
  to dispel any rumors.
• IT IS A COMPOUND SENTENCE IN WHICH THE COMMA IS
  INCORRECTLY OMITTED BEFORE THE COORDINATING
  CONJUNCTION SO.
• THE CONJUNCTION SO ACTUALLY JOINS THE TWO
  SENTENCES.

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REVISED

• The scandal broke after the teacher was charged
  with sexual harassment, so the administration and
  the school board issued a statement to the media
  to dispel any rumors.
• THIS IS A COMPOUND SENTENCE IN WHICH THE COMMA IS
  PLACED BEFORE THE COORDINATING CONJUNCTION SO.
• THE CONJUNCTION SO ACTUALLY JOINS THE TWO
  SENTENCES.

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THIS IS A RUN-ON SENTENCE

• _______________ _________________
• (sentence) (sentence)
• Two sentences (independent clauses) which are not
  separated by any punctuation.
• Wearing a seatbelt is not just a good idea its
  the law.

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A RUN-ON SENTENCE IS NOT . . .

• A run-on sentence is not a sentence that goes on
  and on or a sentence that needs punctuation a
  run-on sentence is two sentences not separated by
  a period, a semicolon, or a coordinating
  conjunction with a comma.
• A run-on sentence is not necessarily a long
  sentence.
• Walk with your feet dance with your heart.

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These are run-on sentences, some from The HBJ
Workbook, 1992 Edition

• Liz is already fluent in English and Spanish in
  addition, she is learning Chinese.
• Emily Dickinson wrote her poems in seclusion she
  never intended them for publication.
• Rus works part time as a security guard he is
  helping to pay his tuition.
• Stewart and Rosemary flew to Denver from there,
  they drove to the ski lodge in Aspen.
• Cloning has aroused great interest as a
  scientific novelty however, its implications seem
  frightening to many.

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These are now comma splices, some from The HBJ
Workbook, 1992 Edition

• Liz is already fluent in English and Spanish, in
  addition, she is learning Chinese.
• Emily Dickinson wrote her poems in seclusion, she
  never intended them for publication.
• Rus works part time as a security guard, he is
  helping to pay his tuition.
• Stewart and Rosemary flew to Denver, from there,
  they drove to the ski lodge in Aspen.
• Cloning has aroused great interest as a
  scientific novelty, however, its implications
  seem frightening to many.

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DOES THE SENTENCE BELOW CONTAIN A COMMA SPLICE?

• No one voted in the election, so the White House
  was empty for four years.

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THIS IS NOT A COMMA SPLICE

• No one voted in the election, so the White House
  was empty for four years.
• THE COMMA PRECEDING THE COORDINATING CONJUNCTION
  IS CORRECT.

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THIS IS NOT A COMMA SPLICE

• Students who are interested in doing an
  internship during spring semester, must complete
  the application process by November.
• A comma splice is a comma specifically separating
  two sentences, not a superfluous comma or a comma
  that is in the wrong place in a sentence.  

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THIS IS A COMMA SPLICE

• Government is not the solution to the problem,
  government is the problem.
• - President Ronald Reagan
• ONLY A COMMA SEPARATES THE TWO SENTENCES.

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SENTENCE SENSE

• When the subject of one sentence is repeated
  after a comma, very likely what follows the comma
  is a new sentence. Therefore, using only a comma
  to separate the two ideas is insufficient.
• Government is not the solution to the problem
  government is the problem.

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Are any of the commas below comma splices?

• Because Professor Martinez knew the subject very
  well, she was chosen to give the introductory
  lecture.
• Even though he had written to the dean of the
  graduate college and had submitted all the
  required forms in triplicate, Martin was not
  accepted for admission.
• If you wish to be accepted into the program for
  medical technicians, you must indicate an
  interest in studying science. 

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THESE SENTENCES DO NOT CONTAIN COMMA SPLICES
There is not a complete sentence on both sides of
the comma each comma is used correctly.

• Because Professor Martinez knew the subject very
  well, she was chosen to give the introductory
  lecture.
• Even though he had written to the dean of the
  graduate college and had submitted all the
  required forms in triplicate, Martin was not
  accepted for admission.
• If you wish to be accepted into the program for
  medical technicians, you must indicate an
  interest in studying science. 

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THIS IS A COMMA SPLICE

• _______________ , _________________
• (sentence) (sentence)
• Two sentences (independent clauses) separated
  only by a comma.
• I never enjoyed reading comic books when I was a
  child, fantasy novels were always my favorite.

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These sentences contain comma splices, some from
The HBJ Workbook, 1992 Edition

• The divorce rate has risen sharply in recent
  years, many couples, consequently, now choose to
  live together before marrying.
• Graduate students who are also teaching
  assistants (TAs) carry a double burden, they
  must balance the needs of their students against
  the demands of their own studies.
• Angie arrived on campus with mixed feelings, she
  was already homesick as well as excited.
• Mrs. Webb listens to everyone's opinions, then
  she makes up her own mind.

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HOW TO CORRECT RUN-ONS AND COMMA SPLICES

• Use a semicolon or period to separate the two
  independent clauses/sentences.
• Wearing a seatbelt is not just a good idea its
  the law.
• I never enjoyed reading comic books when I was a
  child fantasy novels were always my favorite.

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WARNING! Using only a comma to separate two
sentences changes a run-on into a comma splice.

• RUN-ON
• Some television shows are no doubt worthless
  however, there are many programs that can truly
  be called educational.
• COMMA SPLICESome television shows are no doubt
  worthless, however, there are many programs that
  can truly be called educational.
• CORRECTED SENTENCE
• Some television shows are no doubt worthless
  however, there are many programs that can truly
  be called educational.
• Some television shows are no doubt worthless.
  However, there are many programs that can truly
  be called educational.

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Run-ons and comma splices can derail the reader
and cause misreading.

• Time went by quickly, before she knew it, she was
  too old to find a good job.
• CAREFULLY PROOFREAD AND EDIT
• YOUR WRITING FOR RUN-ONS AND
• FRAGMENTS.

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Punctuate your sentences to convey meaning.

• My wealth does not create your poverty, and your
  wealth does not create my poverty.
• My wealth does not create your poverty your
  wealth does not create my poverty.
• My wealth does not create your poverty. Your
  wealth does not create my poverty.
• P.J. ORourke

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IS THIS WORD GROUP A FRAGMENT?

• It is obsolete.

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THIS IS NOT A FRAGMENT

• It is obsolete.
• THIS GROUP OF WORDS HAS A SUBJECT, A VERB, AND A
  COMPLETED THOUGHT.

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IS THE SECOND WORD GROUP BELOW A FRAGMENT?

• Psychohistory is a relatively new type of study.
  It combines the insights of psychology with the
  data of history.

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THE SECOND GROUP OF WORDS IS NOT A FRAGMENT.

• Psychohistory is a relatively new type of study.
  It combines the insights of psychology with the
  data of history.
• THIS GROUP OF WORDS HAS A SUBJECT, A VERB, AND A
  COMPLETED THOUGHT.

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These are fragments.

• The study showed that many employees eventually
  begin to neglect their duties. Merely because
  they become bored with their job.
• The Color Purple is the story of the trials and
  tribulations of two sisters. Overcoming obstacles
  to discover themselves and to find each other
  after a long separation.
• Since 1945, New York has been the undisputed
  center of the art world. A center that is
  livelier than those of prewar Europe.
• In 1977, there were 200,000 foreign students
  attending colleges and universities in the United
  States the largest number coming from the Middle
  East.

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CORRECTED FRAGMENTS

• The study showed that many employees eventually
  begin to neglect their duties, merely because
  they become bored with their job.
• The Color Purple is the story of the trials and
  tribulations of two sisters, overcoming obstacles
  to discover themselves and to find each other
  after a long separation.
• Since 1945, New York has been the undisputed
  center of the art world, a center that is
  livelier than those of prewar Europe.
• In 1977, there were 200,000 foreign students
  attending colleges and universities in the United
  States, the largest number coming from the Middle
  East.

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A FRAGMENT DOES NOT EXPRESS A COMPLETE THOUGHT

• B.B. King and Morgan Freeman know a lot about
  cotton fields. Both having grown up in the
  Mississippi Delta region. B.B. King from
  Indianola, Mississippi, and Morgan Freeman from
  Clarksdale, Mississippi.
• The underlined portions are fragments.

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A FRAGMENT MAY CONTAIN A SUBJECT AND A VERB BUT
IS NOT AN INDEPENDENT THOUGHT

• I noticed several students leaving the dormitory.
  As I walked across the street past the trolley.

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HOW TO CORRECT FRAGMENTS

• Add words or connect the fragment to the sentence
  from which it is disconnected.
• B.B. King and Morgan Freeman know a lot about
  cotton fields, both having grown up in the
  Mississippi Delta region. B.B. King is from
  Indianola, Mississippi, and Morgan Freeman is
  from Clarksdale, Mississippi.
• I noticed several students leaving the dormitory
  as I walked across the street past the trolley.

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The word groups below either contain fragments or
are fragments themselves

• Jason stopped at the post office after class.
  The long-awaited care package from Louisiana
  having finally arrived. No stand-alone verb in
  the second word group. Connect the second word
  group to the first with a comma.
• The candidate least willing to debate his
  opponents in public. Incomplete thought
  finish the sentence.
• Most writers use disinterested and uninterested
  interchangeably. Because they neither know nor
  understand the difference between the two words.
  Though the because statement has a subject and
  a verb, it is not an independent sentence.
  Connect the two clauses without adding any
  punctuation.

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INTENTIONAL FRAGMENTS

• When I bought tickets to see Nancy Wilson, I
  expected an older, more sophisticated crowd. I
  imagined that the rarely seen Miss Wilson would
  surely draw a more musically knowledgeable
  audience, one that would appreciate the jazz
  legend. Not a chance.
• - FROM The Rant by Randy Haspel

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I imagined that the rarely seen Miss Wilson would
draw a more musically knowledgeable audience, one
that would appreciate the jazz legend. Not a
chance.THE WRITER HAS INTENTIONALLY CONSTRUCTED
THIS FRAGMENT TO SERVE A SYTLISTIC AND RHETORICAL
PURPOSE.
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WHAT IS THE SENTENCE ERROR BELOW?

• RUN-ON?
• COMMA SPLICE?
• FRAGMENT?
• CORRECT?
• The twins are inseparable, neither of them will
  go anywhere without the other.

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WHAT IS THE SENTENCE ERROR BELOW?

• RUN-ON?
• COMMA SPLICE
• FRAGMENT?
• CORRECT?
• The twins are inseparable, neither of them will
  go anywhere without the other.
• CORRECTION The twins are inseparable neither
  of them will go anywhere without the other.

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Lets Practice!!!

• The rate of inflation is related to the rate of
  unemployment, it is impossible to influence one
  without influencing the other.
• unemployment it is impossible
• The ability to write complete sentences comes
  with practice writing run-on sentences seems to
  occur naturally.
• with practice writing run-on sentences

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More Practice!!!

• We were surprised to come home and find that the
  house had been burglarized. Even our toothpicks
  missing.
• .had been burglarized, even our toothpicks
  missing.
• Erring is human, and forgiving is divine.
  Although Johns errors were plentiful, since he
  wasnt close to approaching divinity.
• ...errors were plentiful, he wasnt close

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BONUS ROUND!

• IS THE FOLLOWING WORD GROUP A RUN-ON, FRAGMENT,
  COMMA SPLICE, OR CORRECT?
• Verizon Wireless said Sunday that it would pay up
  to 90 million in refunds to 15 million cell
  phone customers who were wrongly charged for data
  sessions or Internet use, one of the largest-ever
  customer refunds by a telecommunications company.
  (NY Times, Oct. 3, 2010)
• CORRECT