Run-Ons and Comma Splices

“Commas [should] fall with the precision of knives in a circus act, outlining the victim.” – E.B. White

What is a run-on sentence?

• A run-on sentence is also sometimes called a comma splice.
• A run-on is formed when a writer attempts to join two complete sentences (independent clauses) incorrectly, most often with a comma.
• A comma is not sufficient to join two complete sentences.

Comma Splices:

• She realized that her boyfriend cheated on her with her best friend, she plotted his demise.
• The field lay open and desolate against the cold winter sky, the birds circled ominously over the vacant plains.
• Ava left for Europe, her flight is at one o’clock.
• Macaroni is found in aisle seven, sherbet is in the freezer section in aisle twelve.

​

How do I fix a comma splice?

• There are four basic ways to correct a comma splice.
• Insert end punctuation and begin a new sentence.
• Use a semicolon.
• Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
• Use a subordinating conjunction in one of the clauses.

Correction: Make Two Sentences.

• The easiest way to fix a comma splice is to make two sentences.
• To do this, insert end punctuation (period, exclamation mark, question mark) and begin a new sentence.

Correction: Make Two Sentences.

Incorrect:

• Ava left for Europe, her flight is at one o’clock.
• Mr. Smith wandered the halls, he was looking for room 388.

Correct:

• Ava left for Europe. Her flight is at one o’clock.
• Mr. Smith wandered the halls. He was looking for room 388.

​

Correction: Use a Semicolon.

• A semicolon is used to join two complete sentences.
• When using a semicolon, the two sentences should be related in their subject or meaning.

Correction: Use a Semicolon.

Incorrect:

• She realized that her boyfriend cheated on her with her best friend, she plotted his demise.
• No one likes a thief, put that candy bar back!

Correct:

• She realized that her boyfriend cheated on her with her best friend; she plotted his demise.
• No one likes a thief; put that candy bar back!

​

Correction: Use a Coordinating Conjunction and a Comma.

• Coordinating conjunctions are: but, or, yet, for, and, nor, so.
• The comma should appear at the end of the first complete sentence, followed by a coordinating conjunction and the second complete sentence.

Correction: Use a Coordinating Conjunction and a Comma.

Incorrect:

• The field lay open and desolate against the cold winter sky, the birds circled ominously over the vacant plains.
• I’d like a new iPod for Christmas, I don’t know which one.

Correct:

• The field lay open and desolate against the cold winter sky, and the birds circled ominously over the vacant plains.
• I’d like a new iPod for Christmas, yet I don’t know which one.

Correction: Use a Subordinating Conjunction

• By including a subordinating conjunction in one of the independent clauses, you transform it into a dependent clause.
• Then, you may join the two clauses with a comma.
• Subordinating conjunctions include, but are not limited to: after, although, before, unless, as, because, even though, if, since, until, when, while.

Correction: Use a Subordinating Conjunction

Incorrect:

• Macaroni is found in aisle seven, sherbet is in the freezer section in aisle twelve.
• Kyle was fifteen minutes late for his first date with Janice, she went out with him anyway.

Correct:

• Macaroni is found in aisle seven, while sherbet is in the freezer section in aisle twelve.
• Even though Kyle was fifteen minutes late for his first date with Janice, she went out with him anyway.

​