Avoiding Run-On Sentences and

Comma Splices

Here’s why coordination

is important!
Remember…

A sentence includes a subject, a verb, end

punctuation, and makes sense all by itself.
– I like pizza.
 Sometimes two or more sentences are
squished together without proper punctuation
—those are called RUN-ON SENTENCES
(FUSED) or COMMA SPLICES.
– I like pizza and I like cookies.
Run-On Sentences (Fused Sentences)

 These are mistakes!!!

– Carol cleans her kitchen every week she shines
every pot and pan.
– I studied for the test all weekend I am well-
prepared for it.
– The meeting was a waste of time the club
members argued about silly issues.
Comma Splices

 Remember—a comma is a weak piece of punctuation—it

cannot hold two independent clauses together all by itself!
 These are mistakes!!!
– Carol cleans her kitchen every week, she shines every pot and
pan.
– I studied for the test all weekend, I am well-prepared for it.
– The meeting was a waste of time, the club members argued about
silly issues.
So, how do we correct Run-Ons and
Comma Splices?

3 OPTIONS!!
– OPTION 1: Comma + Coordinating
Conjunction (FANBOYS)
– OPTION 2: Semicolon
– OPTION 3: Semicolon + Conjunctive
Adverb (however, moreover, thus,
consequently…) + Comma
Just like this….

– OPTION 1: Carol cleans her kitchen every week,

and she shines every pot and pan.
– OPTION 2: I studied for the test all weekend; I
am well-prepared for it.
– OPTION 3: The meeting was a waste of time;
unfortunately, the club members argued about
silly issues.