Grammar

Run-on sentences join two or more complete sentences with no punctuation.

Ex: Michaela loves to draw horses she is a talented artist.

5 ways to fix run-on sentence:

1. We can separate the two clauses into two sentences.

2. We can replace the comma with a semi-colon.

3. We can replace the comma with a co-ordinating conjunction (and, but, or, for, yet, nor, or so).

4. We can replace the comma with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., after, although, before, unless, as, because, even though, if, since, until, when, while).

5. We can replace the comma with a semi-colon and transitional word (e.g., however, moreover, on the other hand, nevertheless, instead, also, therefore, consequently, otherwise, as a result).

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What is a Comma Splice?

A comma splice occurs when you use a comma to join two complete sentences without placing an appropriate joining word between them. The comma just isn't strong enough to do the job of making one grammatical sentence out of two. Learn to recognize what comma splices look like, and be sure to avoid them in your essays.

Here is a simple example of a comma splice

Fixing a run-on sentence is no different from fixing a comma splice.

How to Fix a Comma Splice

Here are four straightforward ways to solve the comma splice problem. Understand the subtle differences between them, and make sure you don't get into the habit of always solving your comma splice problems in the same way. Look at each comma splice in your writing as an opportunity to gain mastery over the tools for building complex sentences out of simpler ones.

Solution 1: Use a period.

The simplest way to fix a comma splice is to separate the two improperly joined sentences. Simply replace the comma with a period. The two sentences may sound a bit abrupt placed one after the other, but at least they will be grammatical:

A period may be your best choice for fixing a comma splice when any of the following conditions holds: (1) the logical connection between the two independent clauses is self-evident; (2) one or both of the clauses is long; or (3) the ideas represented in the two clauses are distinct.

Solution 2: Use a semi-colon.

If you want a simple solution to the comma splice, but you prefer to encapsulate your two ideas in one sentence rather than two, then use a semi-colon rather than a period:

A semi-colon is probably the most appropriate remedy for your comma splice when the following two conditions hold: (1) the logical connection between the two independent clauses is already clear, and (2) the ideas represented in the two clauses are very closely related. In particular, when the relation between the two clauses is one of sequence-either a sequence in time or a logical sequence-then a semi-colon is just what you need:

Solution 3: Use a coordinating conjunction.

Like the semi-colon, a conjunction allows you to combine your two ideas in a single sentence. But it has the added advantage of allowing you to indicate the logical relationship between the two ideas. In our comma splice example, the relationship is one of contrast: I completed the essay, but I haven't submitted it even though that would have been the expected thing to do.

The coordinating conjunction but compactly conveys this sense of the unexpected or contradictory:

In all, there are seven coordinating conjunctions:

and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet

They cover the most basic kinds of logical relationships that can exist between two separate ideas.

Solution 4: Use a subordinating conjunction.

Subordinating conjunctions are similar to coordinating conjunctions in that they allow you to indicate the logical relationship between two independent clauses. However, unlike coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions lay unequal stress on the two parts of the new sentence. We can use the subordinating conjunction although to solve our comma splice problem, and we can do so in two distinct ways

As the word subordinating suggests, we place less stress on the clause introduced by the subordinating conjunction. In the first example, the fact that I have not submitted the essay appears as an afterthought; in the second example, it is the point.

There are a great many subordinating conjunctions in the English language. Here are a few of the more common ones:

while, although, because, if, since, unless, whether,

when, why, as, before, after, if, whether, that, once

How Not to Fix a Comma Splice

Never try to join two sentences with a comma followed by a conjunctive adverb. The most common form this error takes involves joining two sentences with the word however:

This sentence is still a comma splice. Learn to distinguish conjunctive adverbs from subordinating conjunctions; they do not function in the same way. Conjunctive adverbs should be used to begin independent clauses, not to join them.

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