Avoiding Run-on Sentences, Comma Splices

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Avoiding Run-on Sentences, Comma Splices

• Getting Your Punctuation Right!

2
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.

3
What Do Periods Semicolons Signal?

• Semicolons and periods signal a full stop. Idea
  is complete.
• I love writing . I love this class.
• I love writing I love this class.

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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.

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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.

,
sentence
sentence
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How Can I Correct Comma Splices and Run-ons? The
FIRST way is to

• Separate them with a period, creating two
  complete sentences.
• We all like writing .

We all love this class.
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Now you try! Use a period to correct these
run-ons and comma splices.

• These punctuation rules arent hard I know how to
  avoid run-ons.
• These punctuation rules arent hard. I know how
  to avoid run-ons.
• My new supervisor has been making all sorts of
  changes, she is really causing problems.
• My new supervisor has been making all sorts of
  changes. She is really causing problems.

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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 doesnt start with a capital
  letter.
• We like writing

we love this class.
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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 like writing we all love this
  class.

, and
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Now you try! Use one of the FANBOYS to correct
this run-on sentence.

• I want a promotion I want more vacation days.
• I want a promotion, and I want more vacation
  days.

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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 or
  transitional.
• We like grammar

therefore, we love this class.
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Now you try! Use a semicolon and a transitional
word like therefore or however to correct this
comma splice.

• Im not going to give up, however, I do sometimes
  get discouraged.
• Im not going to give up however, I do sometimes
  get discouraged.

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How Can I Correct Comma Splices and Run-ons? The
LAST way is to

• Join the two separate sentences into one, with a
  subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun.
• We all like writing, we all love this class.
• Because we all like writing, we all love this
  class.
• All students who like writing love this class.

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These are the subordinate conjunctions.

• after
• although
• as
• because
• before
• even though
• if, even if
• in order that
• once
• provided that

• since
• so that
• than
• that
• though
• unless
• when, whenever
• where, wherever, whereas
• whether
• while

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Which is correct?

• I have a back problem I usually go to a
  chiropractor.
• I have a back problem, so I usually go to a
  chiropractor.

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Which is correct?

• I understand run-ons, however, Im still having
  trouble with comma splices.
• I understand run-ons however, Im still having
  trouble with comma splices.

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Which is correct?

• Tanya got an excellent grade on her test, She
  studied really hard.
• Tanya got an excellent grade on her test she
  studied really hard.

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Which is correct?

• Im really good with punctuation because I have
  been practicing so much.
• Im really good with punctuation I have been
  practicing so much.

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Which is correct?

• Ive been given a number of new duties, for
  example, I now have to do all the filing.
• Ive been given a number of new duties for
  example, I now have to do all the filing.

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Which is correct?

• This grammar practice is useful although, I
  sometimes wish we didnt have to do so much of
  it.
• This grammar practice is useful although I
  sometimes wish we didnt have to do so much of
  it.

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Which is correct?

• I drive too fast on the freeway as a result, I
  will get a ticket or maybe have an accident.
• I drive too fast on the freeway I will get a
  ticket or maybe have an accident.

22
Which is correct?

• Ali did not agree with the method he was taught,
  he found other means to solve the problem.
• Ali did not agree with the method he was taught,
  so he found other means to solve the problem.

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Which is correct?

• Maria and John like tennis, but Karen does not.
• Maria and John like tennis Karen does not.

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Correct the following run-ons or comma splices

• Some people are friendly I like to talk to them.
• Wearing uniforms is a good idea, its easier to
  get dressed in the morning.
• Math is a hard subject you have to study every
  day.
• She went to the mall, she went to the birthday
  party.
• Kevin and his friend went for a walk it was a
  beautiful day.
• Tom delivered newspapers in the rain he got very
  wet.
• On Monday we went outside for a short break, it
  was fun
• The kids had a snack they ate too much.
• The show begins at 730 make sure you're there
  before 715.

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Youve got it!!!
No more comma splices, or run-on sentences ever
again!
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Another Activity

• Americans use more energy per person than
  any other people in the world we have only 6
  percent of the worlds 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.
  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.