The materials collected here do not express the views of, or positions held by, Purdue University. Privacy policy. Sentence Structure Sentence Structure. Exercise : Run-ons, Comma Splices, and Fused Sentences Run-ons, comma splices, and fused sentences are all names given to compound sentences that are not punctuated correctly.
He enjoys walking through the country. He often goes backpacking on his vacations. He often watched TV when there were only reruns. She preferred to read instead.
When two independent clauses are joined by only a comma, this error is called a comma splice. The table below demonstrates the four correct options. When two independent clauses appear in a sentence, try to imagine a middle column in which only four possibilities exist to join the two clauses:.
Please note again that in the above examples a comma alone is NOT one of the correct options. The kind man studied hard, his wife read a book. A comma alone between two independent clauses creates an incorrect comma splice. Summary Including Related Grammar Rules. A run-on sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses that are not joined correctly or which should be made into separate sentences.
A run-on sentence is defined by its grammatical structure, not its length. Incorrect : My favorite band is in town they are performing now. Correct : My favorite band is in town. They are performing now. Correct : My favorite band is in town, and they are performing now. A comma splice is the incorrect use of a comma to join two independent clauses. Incorrect : I love classical music, it makes me feel joyful.
Correct : I love classical music because it makes me feel joyful. Correct : I love classical music; it makes me feel joyful. A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses that are correctly joined by a comma plus a coordinating conjunction or by a semicolon:. Music means a lot to me, and certain songs bring wonderful memories to mind. Music means a lot to me; certain songs bring wonderful memories to mind.
A comma plus a coordinating conjunction can connect independent clauses correctly. There are seven coordinating conjunctions sometimes remembered by the acronym " fanboys " :. A complex sentence contains one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. The dependent clause begins with a subordinating conjunction :. I always think of summer whenever they play that song. A subordinating conjunction connects a dependent clause to an independent clause.
The dependent clause cannot stand alone; it requires attachment to an independent clause in order to express the complete meaning of the sentence. The following are examples of some of the most common subordinating conjunctions:. Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices. Example of a run-on sentence : The flowers are beautiful they brighten the room.
Incorrect Example of a comma splice : The flowers are beautiful, they brighten the room. Incorrect Examples of correct alternatives: The flowers are beautiful. Recognize comma splices and fused sentences. Figure Understanding and Avoiding Comma Splices Two different situations can result in comma splices.
Examples Problem: A comma joins independent clauses instead of the clauses being joined by a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction. Understanding and Avoiding Fused Sentences A fused sentence is also called a run-on sentence and occurs when two independent clauses are joined without any punctuation.
Example Mr. OR Because he is very poor, Mr. Key Takeaways When you use a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence, you should place a comma before the conjunction. You can use a semicolon between two independent clauses without using a conjunctive adverb. If you use conjunctive adverbs, such as however or therefore , place a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb and a comma after it.
Exercises Read each compound sentence. The Gormans bought a new television, and they had it installed over the fireplace. My psychology teacher is leaving on a cruise on Monday; the psychology midterm has been canceled.
The wind was blowing like crazy, it grabbed my bag right out of my hand. Donna traded her hours with Luke last night consequently, she has to work tonight.
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