Runon Sentences and Comma Splices

1
Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

• A run-on sentence joins two or more complete
  sentences without punctuation.

2

• Michelle loves to paint pictures she is very
  talented.
• Michelle loves to paint and she is very
  talented are both complete sentences that can
  stand on their own.

3

• A run-on sentence can be corrected by
• - rewriting the run-on sentence as 2 separate
  sentences

4

• - placing a semicolon between the sentences
• - placing a comma and a coordinating conjunction
  between the sentences

5

• Michelle loves to paint. She is very talented.
  (2 sentences)
• Michelle loves to paint she is very talented.
  (semicolon)

6

• Michelle loves to paint, and she is very
  talented. (comma and conjunction)

7
Comma Splice

• A comma splice is a special kind of run-on
  sentence where there are two separate sentences
  written together with just a comma in between
  them (no conjunction is added).

8

• Jennifer walked the dog, then she fed her.
• This is a comma splice!

9

• The comma splice, just like other run-on
  sentences, needs to be fixed by either making 2
  separate sentences, adding a semicolon, or adding
  a coordinating conjunction.

10

• Jennifer walked the dog. Then she fed her.
• Jennifer walked the dog then she fed her.
• Jennifer walked the dog, and then she fed her.