Avoiding Run-on Sentences,

Comma Splices ;
,

Getting Your
Punctuation Right!
 What Does a Comma Signal?
 A comma signals a pause.
(It tells the reader to slow
down briefly, but then keep
going until the idea is
completed.)

 Because I like writing ,

I like this class.
What Do Periods & Semicolons Signal?

 Semicolons and
periods signal a full
stop. Idea is complete. STOP!

 I love writing .
I love this
class.
 I love writing ;
I love this
class.
 What Is a Run-on Sentence?
 A run-on is a sentence error caused by
running one sentence into another,
without putting any punctuation in
between.
 We all like writing we all love this class.

Run-on
 What Is a Comma Splice?

,
 A comma splice is a sentence error caused
by putting just a poor, weak comma
between two complete sentences.
 We all like writing , we all love this class.
 How Can I Correct Comma Splices and
Run-ons? The FIRST way is to…

 Separate them with a period, creating

complete sentences. two

STOP

We all like writing . We all love this class.

 Now, you try! Use a period to correct
these run-ons and comma splices.
1. These punctuation rules aren’t hard I know how to
avoid run-ons.
2. These punctuation rules aren’t hard. I know how to
avoid run-ons. Correct!
3. My new supervisor has been making all
sortsof changes, she is really causing problems.
4. My new supervisor has been making all
sortsof changes. She is really causing problems.
Correct!
 How Can I Correct Comma Splices and
Run-ons? The SECOND way is to…
 Link them with a semicolon; this creates two
complete sentences just as a period does, but the
second sentence doesn’t start with a capital
letter.
STOP!

We like writing ; we love this class.

No caps!
 How Can I Correct Comma Splices and
Run-ons? The THIRD way is to…
 Join the two sentences with a comma and one
of the FANBOYS. (FOR, AND, NOR, BUT, OR,
YET, SO)

we all love this class.

 We all like writing , and
Now you try! Use one of the FANBOYS
to correct this run-on sentence.

1. I want a promotion I want more

vacation days.
2. I want a promotion, and I want
more vacation days.
Correct!
How Can I Correct Comma Splices
and Run-ons? The FOURTH way is
to…
 End the first sentence with a semicolon and
begin the second with a conjunctive adverb
transitional.
or STOP
 We like grammar ; therefore, we
love this class.
Now you try! Use a semicolon and a transitional word
like therefore or however to correct this comma splice.

 I’m not going to give up, however, I

do sometimes get discouraged.

 I’m not going to give up; however, I do

sometimes get discouraged. Correct!
 Which is correct?

A. I have a back problem I usually go to a

chiropractor.

B. I have a back problem, so I usually go to a

chiropractor.
 Which is correct?

A. I understand run-ons, however, I’m still

having trouble with comma splices.

B. I understand run-ons; however, I’m still

having trouble with comma
splices.
 Which is correct?

A. Tanya got an excellent grade on her test, She

studied really hard.

B. Tanya got an excellent grade on her test; she

studied really hard.
 Which is correct?

A. I’m really good with punctuation

because I have been practicing so
much.

B. I’m really good with punctuation I have been

practicing so much.
 Which is correct?

A. I’ve been given a number of new

duties, for example, I now have to do
all the filing.

B. I’ve been given a number of new

duties; for example, I now have to do
all the filing.
 Which is correct?

A. I drive too fast on the freeway; as a result, I

will get a ticket or maybe have an accident.

B. I drivetoo fast onthe freeway I will

get a ticket or maybe have an accident.
 Which is correct?
A. Ali did not agree with the method he was
taught, he found other means to solve the
problem.

B. Ali did not agree with the method he was

taught, so he found other means to solve the
problem.
 Which is correct?

A. Maria and John like tennis, but Karen does

not.

B. Maria and John like tennis Karen does not.

 Correct the following run-ons or comma splices
1. Some people are friendly I like to talk to them.

2. Wearing uniforms is a good idea, it’s easier to

get dressed in the morning.

3. Math is a hard subject you have to study every day.

4. She went to the mall, she went to the birthday party.

5. Kevin and his friend went for a walk it was a

beautiful day.
 Correct the following run-ons or comma splices
6. Tom delivered newspapers in the rain he got very
wet.
7. On Mondaywe went outside for a short
break, it was fun
8. The kids had a snack they ate too much.
9. The show begins at 7:30 make sure you're there
before 7:15.
10. I am beautiful and intelligent, my classmates
elected me as the class representative for the
school pageant.
 You’ve got it!!!

No more The
END!
comma
splices, or
run-on
sentences
ever again!
 ASSIGNMENT

Americans use more energy per person than any other

people in the world we have only 6 percent of the world’s
population, however, we use about one-third of all the
energy consumed on this globe. Our total national energy
cost in 1975 amounted to about $170 billion, each year our
energy needs are steadily rising most of the energy we use in
the U.S. comes from crude oil because domestic production
falls short of our needs, we have to import almost half of it.
 ASSIGNMENT

Expert estimates of our known and potential

domestic reserves differ, we probably have somewhere
between a 25- to 30-year supply of oil. If we continue
using energy as we have become accustomed to, we
could run out of domestic oil supplies in the year 2007,
we may run out of natural gas even sooner. Energy
demands and prices keep going up, therefore, the
availability and future costs of supplies remain
uncertain.