What is a Run-on Sentence?

When two independent clauses are

connected by only a comma, they
constitute a run-on sentence.

Example 1

When an independent clause gives

an order based on what was said in
the prior independent clause:
This next chapter has a lot of
difficult information in it, you should
start studying right away.

Example 2

When two independent clauses are

connected by a transitional expression
(conjunctive adverb) such as however,
moreover, nevertheless.
Mr. Martinez has sent his four children to
college, however, he has sacrificed his
health working day and night in that dusty
bakery.

Example 3

When the second independent clause

contains a pronoun that connects it
to the first independent clause.
This computer doesn't make sense
to me, it came without a manual.

Run-on Sentence?

The sun is high, put on some

sunblock.

YES

Why:
Two independent clauses?
Which rule does it violate: 1, 2 or 3?

What is a Comma Splice?

When you use a comma to connect

two independent clauses, and it is
not accompanied by a conjunction.
Conjunctions:
For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

Comma Splice?

The sun is high, put on some

sunblock.

YES

Why:
Two independent clauses?
Properly connected?

Commas

1. Introductory Phrases
One Word
Generally, Conversely, Interestingly
Generally, I like to learn all about grammar.

Prepositional/-ed and ing Phrases

Over time, In fact, Throughout
Over time, his sunburn healed.

Adverb Clause / Time Phrases

Although, Since, If / When, As soon as, After
If the world was flat, I would have fallen off
the side by now.

Commas

2. Conjunctions
independent phrases
Connect two ______________
Used with FANBOYS

3. Lists
After getting food poisoning, I got a
headache, felt nauseous and threw up
my dinner.
After getting food poisoning, I got a
headache, felt nauseous, and threw up
my dinner.

Commas

4. Descriptions
When two successive adjectives describe
the same noun

5. Appositives

i.e. That man over there, the one whose left

leg is shorter than his right, walks in circles.

6. Between Cities, States and

Countries

i.e. He was a crazy, ugly gringo.

i.e. North Canton, Ohio, USA

7. Direct Quotes

i.e. Adam yelled, O-H!

WHEN Facebook signed up its 100

millionth member last August , its
employees spread out in two parks in
Palo Alto , Calif., for a huge barbecue.
Sometime this week, this five-year-old
start-up, born in a dorm room at
Harvard, expects to register its 200
millionth user.

That staggering growth rate

doubling in size in just eight months
suggests Facebook is rapidly
becoming the Webs dominant social
ecosystem and an essential personal
and business networking tool in
much of the wired world.

Yet Facebook executives say they

arent planning to observe their
latest milestone in any significant
way. It is ,some would say , a poor
time to celebrate.