Comma Splices, Fused Sentences, And Transitions

Independent clauses must be separated by proper punctuation, either through the use of a period, semi- colon, or, sometimes, a colon. Commas can be used to separate independent clauses only if they are used with a coordinating conjunction. Comma splices and fused sentences are different errors, but they produce the same grammatical problem of juxtaposing two independent clauses without proper punctuation between them.

A fused sentence, or a run-on sentence, occurs when two complete sentences are not separated by any punctuation: Fused sentence : Arco, Inc failed to meet profit expectations last year its stock price fell dramatically.

A comma splice occurs when a comma rather than a period separates two complete sentences: Comma splice : Arco, Inc. failed to meet profit expectations last year, its stock price fell dramatically. Correct : Arco, Inc. failed to meet profit expectations last year. Its stock price fell dramatically. Correct : Arco, Inc failed to meet profit expectations last year; its stock price fell dramatically.

To use a comma to separate independent clauses, the writer needs to employ a coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, or, nor, so, and yet ): Arco, Inc failed to meet profit expectations last year, so its stock price fell dramatically. Ways to correct comma splices and fused sentences: Insert a period between the independent clauses: Comma splice : Federal funding has become scarce, the money is going elsewhere. Fused sentence: Federal funding has become scarce the money is going elsewhere. Correct : Federal funding has become scarce. The money is going elsewhere.

Insert a semicolon between the independent clauses . Only use a semi- colon, rather than a period, when the two sentences are closely related in subject: Comma splice : Soccer is the most popular childrens sport, it replaced baseball four years ago. Fused sentence : Soccer is the most popular childrens sport it replaced baseball four years ago. Correct : Soccer is the most popular childrens sport; it replaced baseball four years ago.

Use a comma together with a coordinating conjunction: Comma splice : Sue and John got married four years ago, they are expecting their first child. Fused sentence : Sue and John got married four years ago they are expecting their first child. Correct : Sue and John got married four years ago, and they are expecting their first child.

Revise one independent clause into a dependent clause: There are two ways to create dependent clauses. One is using a subordinating conjunction (because, although, if, when), and the other is by using a relative pronoun (who, whose, whom, which, that). To use a subordinating conjunction, place the conjunction before the clause to be made dependent, and separate the two clauses with a comma: Comma slice : John hadnt ever seen the college before, he knew he wanted to go there anyway. Fused sentence : John hadnt ever seen the college before he knew he wanted to go there anyway. Correct : Although John hadnt ever seen the college before, he knew he wanted to go there anyway.

To use a relative pronoun, place the pronoun before the clause to be made dependent: Comma splice : Ill always remember the professor, he taught me calculus. Fused sentence : Ill always remember the professor he taught me calculus. Correct : Ill always remember the professor who taught me calculus.

Conjunctive adverbs and Transitional Expressions If you are using conjunctive adverbs, such as however, therefore, also, next, then, thus, or furthermore, or transitional expressions, such as for example, for instance, of course, then remember to follow the rules to avoid splices and fused sentences. Conjunctive adverb: Comma splice : The executive never read the report, however, he made his decision anyway. Correct : The executive never read the report; however, he made his decision anyway.

Transitional expression: Comma splice : Soft drinks have a larger market share than dairy products, for example, California sold 58 times more soda than milk. Correct : Soft drinks have a larger market share than dairy products. For example, California sold 58 times more soda than milk.