COMMA SPLICES AND FUSED SENTENCES
I. Comma Splice:� Only a comma between two main sentences.
a) I invited her to visit school any time she could, she graciously accepted and left. [Incorrect sentence]
b) I invited her to visit school any time she could; she graciously accepted and left. [Corrected sentence]
**Strategies for Correcting
Comma Splices:
1. Join two separate sentences (independent clauses) with a comma plus a coordinating conjunction [and, but, or, for, nor, so, yet].
___________________, and� _______________.
2. Create two separate sentences.
_________________.� Capital letter _____________.
3. Join two independent clauses with a semicolon.
_______________; _________________.
4. Join two independent clauses with a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression [however, moreover, therefore, likewise, thus, for example, in contrast, consequently].
___________________; however, _____________________.
�����������
5. Subordinate one of the two clauses [although, while, when, because, since, unless].
Although________________, ___________________.
II.������� Fused Sentence: (Also known as a run-on sentence) No punctuation between independent clauses.
a) People used to go by wagon to the fishing hole we made the six mile trip by foot. [Incorrect sentence]
b) People used to go by wagon to the fishing hole.� We made the trip by foot. [Corrected sentence]
**Strategies for Correcting Fused Sentences: �Same as for the Comma Splice.
English
In-Class Exercise
COMMA SPLICE AND FUSED SENTENCES
(Correct the following sentences by stating the major usage error and inserting the appropriate revision.)
1. The current was swift he could not swim to shore.
2. Pete Hamill made a good argument concerning TV however he is wrong about the Andy Griffith Show.
3.
The Razorbacks won the game Saturday, they beat
4. Freshman composition students are very committed to writing their papers they spend almost all their time reading and writing.
5. Snow had fallen steadily for sixteen hours, many roads were closed.
6. The ice cream cake had begun to melt; it dripped onto Grandmother�s tablecloth.
7. The best way to win a gold medal is to train for long hours; however, many athletes don�t want to spend that much time in a gym.
--Identify and revise the comma splices and fused sentences in the following paragraph.
����������� A good way
to meet new people during the summer is to take evening courses, many colleges,
high schools, and adult-education centers offer them. They attract different kinds
of people who share common interests.�
Last summer in my woodworking class I met a woman who was also
interested in carving a life-size monkey out of wood we have been touring zoos
ever since.� This summer in my banjo
class I met several people who enjoy playing musical instruments with their
feet, we are planning a trip to the podiatrist in
English
In-Class
Quiz���������������������������������������
COMMA SPLICE AND FUSED
SENTENCES
For
the sentences below enter in the following blanks the major usage error by
placing CS (comma splice) or FS (fused sentence).� Next, make the necessary correction.� If the sentence is correct, write C in
the space.
_____� 1.��������������
_____� 2.�������������� I
never saw a busier person than Fred, however, I don�t know what he does.
_____� 3.�������������� On
a cold, stormy night the frightened horse broke out of his stall, but he� didn�t wander away.
_____ 4.��������������� War and Remembrance is a
historical novel its subject is World War II.
_____ 5.��������������� Dr. James unlocked the door to
his office, he stood there for a moment before entering.
_____ 6.��������������� Jack and Ethan will go to a new
school in January; I think that they will miss their old friends.
_____ 7.��������������� After Francine had finished
breakfast, she went to the office, the sales meeting was scheduled for
nine-thirty.
_____ 8.��������������� Jeannie was thrilled about being elected to Phi Beta Kappa, she� could hardly wait to tell her parents the news.
_____ 9.��������������� The new Razorback stadium was
packed with fans, moreover, many students had been unable to get tickets.
_____10.�������������� As I grow older, my necessities
are fewer I realize how cumbersome possessions can be.
_____ 11.������������� Byron did not make up the work he
had missed, consequently, he failed the course.
_____ 12.������������� The jury denied its request, the
judge said that the request was unreasonable.
_____ 13.������������� He always thought that he was
right; hence, he was quite a bore.
_____ 14.������������� Determined to win the game, the
coach gambled on fourth down the game was lost at that point.
_____ 15.������������� We went first to
_____ 16.������������� The requirements for the course
were time consuming they were not, however, unreasonable.
_____ 17.������������� The Razorback Marching Band has
elected a new leader, she will take control on January 1.
_____ 18.������������� When Amy and Laura play Monopoly,
it is serious business, when Bill and Jennifer play, it is for fun and
relaxation.