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CHAPTER PREVIEW
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Run-ons: Comma
Splices and Fused
Sentences
•—What's the Point of
Correcting Comma Splices
and Fused Sentences?
^ Understanding the
Point of Correcting
Comma Splices and Fused
Sentences: One Student
Writer's Response
•—Applying the Point:
Correcting Comma Splices
and Fused Sentences
•—Writing Assignments
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According to research, comma splices and fused sentences are
two of the most common errors made by student writers. The
photograph on these pages shows a natural phenomenon that
stirs human emotions and imagination. Read about this special
place and then answer the question "What's the point of
learning about correcting comma splices and fused sentences?"
WKafs the Point of Correcting Comma
Splices and Fused Sentences?
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Read the following short description of Niagara Falls, adapted from a 1913 essay written by
Rupert Brooke for the Westminster Gazette. This version contains one comma splice and three
fused sentences. How do these errors affect the reading of the passage?
Niagara Falls
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Haifa mile or so above the Falls, on either side, the water of the great stream
begins to run more swiftly in confusion it descends with ever-growing speed it
begins chattering and leaping, breaking into a thousand ripples, throwing up
joyful fingers of spray, sometimes it is divided by islands and rocks sometimes
the eye can see nothing but a waste of laughing, springing, foamy waves.
Adapted from "Niagara Falls," Rupert Brooke
learningjibout correcting comma splices and fused sentences?
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Understanding the Point of Correcting
Comma Splices and Fused Sentences: On
Student Writer's Response
The following
Niagara
Falls. paragraph offers one writer's response to the opening paragraph abo
/ had to read the paragraph several titles to figure out what the author fs
was saying. I couldn't tell when one sentence ended and another one
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started. I guess a cotwwa splice or fused sentence occurs because a writer <
foins sentences without the proper punctuation. Without proper
punctuation that signals the end of one thought and the beginning of ,
another, ideas become confusing as they run on. Proper punctuation
signals the beginning or end of each sentence. Proper punctuation Makes
ideas clear and easy to follow.
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Applying the Point: Correcting Comma
Splices and Fused Sentences
Comma splices and fused sentences are punctuation errors that occur where independf
clauses are improperly joined to form a compound sentence. To properly combine clau
into a compound sentence, the end of each independent clause must be signaled by
appropriate punctuation, such as a semicolon, a comma followed by a coordinating
conjunction, or a period at the end of the sentence.
Comma Splice
A comma splice occurs when a comma is used by itself (without a coordinating
conjunction) to join two independent clauses.
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j Secondhand smoke |sj a cause of disease in healthy non-smokers j §
jeach year secondhand smoke
jEDs}an
estimated 3,000 adulti
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inonsmokers
from lungAcancer. r;A~
!nr»i"ioi-»r-n-*i>-~—
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SPUft
fused
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Sentence
fused sentence occurs when two independent clauses are joined without
17 punctuation.
VERB
econdhand smoke causes respiratory problems! it also
reddening, itching, and watering of the eyes.
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OK 11- o j%w#' o i SL -* osas5Sn»
;t your ability to identify comma splices, fused sentences, and properly combined clauses.
ite CS for comma splice, FS for fused sentence, or C for correctly punctuated.
. 1. More than 126 million nonsmoking Americans are exposed to secondhand smoke
in homes, vehicles, workplaces, and public places, almost 60 percent of U.S. children
between the ages of 3 and 11—or almost 22 million children—are exposed to
secondhand smoke.
.. 2. There is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure even brief exposure can
jF j be dangerous.
i. 3. Secondhand smoke, also known as environmental tobacco smoke, is a complex
——mixture of gases and particles including smoke from the burning cigarette, cigar, or
pipe tip and exhaled smoke.
4. Two types of secondhand smoke exist, sidestream smoke is the smoke released
from the burning end of a cigarette, exhaled mainstream smoke is the smoke exhaled
by the smoker.
^tf^.. 5. Secondhand smoke \ a known human cafdno^en (cancel-causing, a^ent} move
\n 50 compounds in secondhand smoke have been identi
reasonably anticipated human carcinogens secondhand smoke contains at least 250
chemicals that are known to be toxic or carcinogenic.
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Five Ways to Correct Comma Splices and Fused Sentences
As a writer, you have the choice of several ways to correct or avoid comma splices and fused
sentences. Each method creates a specific effect. Most experts recommend using a variety of
these methods, rather than always relying on the same one.
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1. Separate sentences using a period and capital letter
Punctuating the independent clauses as separate sentences is a method often used to
correct comma splices and fused sentences.
Incorrect:
WVEPEIWEfi/T
CLAUSE
SUBJECT
SUBJECT
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder! |! the main characteristic
of narcolepsy is overwhelming daytime sleepiness, I
"A"
VERB
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
Incorrect:
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
SUBJECT
. \
VERB
SUBJECT
FUSED SENTENCES
4
1
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder i jthe main characteristic i
i of narcolepsy is overwhelming daytime sleepiness, j
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VERB
Revised (Correct):
INDEPENDENT MUSE
PERIOD
SUBJECT
I
"~"
CAPITAL LETTER
VERB
I
'r
SUBJECT
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder! | |jhe main characteristic
i of narcolepsy is overwhelming daytime sleepiness, i
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VERB
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Edit the following sentences to eliminate comma splices and fused sentences. Separate clauses
by inserting a period and capital letter as needed.
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s are usually first
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2. Join sentences with a comma followed by a coordinating
conjunction
Sentences can be properly joined by inserting a comma followed by a coordinating
conjunction between the independent clauses. The acronym FANBOYS stands for
each of the coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. This method of
combining sentences states the relationship between ideas of equal importance.
Incorrect:
SUBJECT
VERB
Chief Red Cloud (led, a successful war against the U.S. government;1
he 'Stands.as a legendary Lakota leader.!
SUBJECT VERB
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Incorrect:
INDEPENDENT MUSE
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VERB
SUBJECT
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Chief Red Cloud led a successful war against the U.S. government!
he stands as a legendary Lakota leader.!
SUBJECT
FUSED
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
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Revised (Correct):
SUBJECT
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
VERB
*
\f Red Cloud led a successful war against the U.S. government!]
I so he stands as a legendary Lakota leader, j
/
ADDED
SUBJECT VERB
ADDED coowmrm CONJUNCTION
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
SIGNALS A STATED EFFECT
COMMA SPLICES AND FUSED SENTENCES
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3. Join sentences with a semicolon
Use a semicolon to join independent clauses when no conjunction is present. A
semicolon indicates that the two sentences of equal importance are so closely related that
they can be stated as one sentence; however, a semicolon alone does not state the
relationship between the two clauses. The relationship between clauses may be one of the
following: time, space, order of importance, general to specific, addition, cause, effect,
comparison, or contrast
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incorrect:
COMMA SPLICE
SUBJECT
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VERB
I A dark day in U.S. history occurred on October 29, 1929
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I "Black Tuesday" is when the stock market crashed, starting the Great Depression.
................
"A ............. " ....... ~t t
SUBJECT
..........................
"
.......................
7
......................................................................................
VERB
Incorrect:
FUSED SEMTEtvCES
VERB
SUBJECT
A dark day in U.S. history occurred on October 29, 19291
"Black Tuesday" is when the stock market crashed, starting the Great Depression.
SUBJECT
VERB
Revised (Correct):
SUBJECT
VERB
A dark day in U.S. history occurred on October 29, 1929 j|
"Black Tuesday" is when the stock market crashed, starting the Great Depression.
SUBJECT
VERB
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Edit the following sentences by inserting semicolons as needed to correct comma splices and
fused sentences.
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4. Join sentences with a semicolon followed by a conjunctive adverb
For more information
about joining ideas of
equal importance,
see pages 324-329,
"Compound and
Complex Sentences."
Use a semicolon with a conjunctive adverb to join independent clauses. Conjunctive
adverbs are transition words that state the relationships between ideas of equal
importance, A few common examples include also, for example, however, then, therefore,
and thus.
Incorrect:
£OMM SPLICE
miter vm
miter nu
, l \ a plan
\
i A business plan is important for a reason |
! to track, monitor, and evaluate the progress of the business. !
Incorrect:
FUSED
svma vm
\
SUBJECT
VERB
\ helps j
A business plan is important for a reason i|«j 1 a plan
i to track, monitor, and evaluate the progress of the business. 1
WVEPEWEIVT MUSE
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Revised (Correct):
4DVEV SEMICOLON SEPARATES MVEPEWEMT
SUBJECT VERB
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CONJUNCTIVE WVEM
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A business plan is important for various reasons | for example j |^_
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a plan helps to track, monitor, and evaluate the progress of the business,
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SUBJECT VERB
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Not only do these transitions state the relationship between ideas, but they also introduce
an independent clause and must be set off with a comma.
Edit the following sentences to correct comma splices and fused sentences. Join independent
clauses with a semicolon and one of the following transitions: a/so, for example, however,
therefore. Use each transition once.
a~~conjunctive aaverbuggested topic
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PART 6 RECOGNIZING AND AVOID
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5, Join sentences using a subordinating conjunction
For more information
on complex
sentences, see pages
330-335,
"Compound and
Complex Sentences."
Not all ideas are of equal importance. Frequently, writers choose to join ideas in a
complex sentence made up of an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.
A subordinating conjunction signals the beginning of a dependent clause and states its
subordinate relationship to the independent clause. Some examples of subordinating
conjunctions include although, as, because, if, and when, Relative pronouns also connect a
dependent clause to an independent clause. Examples of relative pronouns include that,
which, and who.
Incorrect:
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
SUBJECT VERB
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".. am! grateful for the opportunity to work for Southeast Dental Clinic
it rewaYds the excellence and hard work of its staff,
SUBJECT
COMMA SPLICE
VERB
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
incorrect:
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
VERB
I jam grateful for the opportunity to work for Southeast Dental Clinic!|
it jrewardsi the excellence and hard work of its staff.
FUSED SENTENCES
SUBJECT
Revised #1 (Correct):
SUBJECT
VERB
I am grateful for the opportunity to work for Southeast Dental Clinic!
^rewards! the excellence and hard work of its staff.
'
VERB
RELATIVE PRONOUN
(SUBJECT)
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DEPENDENT CLAUSE
Revised #2 (Correct):
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SUBJECT
DEPENDENT ClAVSt
VERB
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jBecausej Southeast Dental Clinic rewards! the excellence and hardi
work of its staff! 111 fim grateful for the opportunity to work for the clinc.
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—/
SUBJECT
WVEPEWEfi/T &AUSE
Revise the following sentences into complex sentences to correct comma splices and fused
[sentences. Use the following subordinating conjunctions: after, as, even though, which.
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