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.
STOP!
4. 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.
Run-on
5. 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.
,
6. Separate them with a period, creating two
complete sentences.
We all like writing .
How Can I Correct Comma Splices and
Run-ons? The FIRST way is to…
We all love this class.
STOP
7. Now you try! Use a period to correct these
run-ons and comma splices.
1. These punctuation rules aren’t hard I know how to
avoid run-ons.
2. These punctuation rules aren’t hard. I know how to
avoid run-ons.
3. My new supervisor has been making all sorts of
changes, she is really causing problems.
4. My new supervisor has been making all sorts of
changes. She is really causing problems.
Correct!
Correct!
8. Link them with a semicolon; this creates two
complete sentences just as a period does, but the
second sentence doesn’t start with a capital
letter.
We like writing ;
How Can I Correct Comma Splices and
Run-ons? The SECOND way is to…
we love this class.
STOP!
No caps!
9. 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
10. Now you try! Use one of the FANBOYS to
correct this run-on sentence.
1. I want a promotion I want more vacation
days.
2. I want a promotion, and I want more
vacation days.
Correct!
11. 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.
STOP
12. Now you try! Use a semicolon and a transitional word
like therefore or however to correct this comma splice.
I’m not going to give up, however, I do
sometimes get discouraged.
I’m not going to give up; however, I do
sometimes get discouraged.
Correct!
13. 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.
dependent clause
dependent clause
comma
splice
OK!
14. 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
15. Which is correct?
1. I have a back problem I usually go to a
chiropractor.
2. I have a back problem, so I usually go to a
chiropractor.
16. Which is correct?
1. I understand run-ons, however, I’m still
having trouble with comma splices.
2. I understand run-ons; however, I’m still
having trouble with comma splices.
17. Which is correct?
1. Tanya got an excellent grade on her test, She
studied really hard.
2. Tanya got an excellent grade on her test; she
studied really hard.
18. Which is correct?
1. I’m really good with punctuation because I
have been practicing so much.
2. I’m really good with punctuation I have been
practicing so much.
19. Which is correct?
1. I’ve been given a number of new duties,
for example, I now have to do all the
filing.
2. I’ve been given a number of new duties;
for example, I now have to do all the
filing.
20. Which is correct?
1. This grammar practice is useful;
although, I sometimes wish we didn’t
have to do so much of it.
2. This grammar practice is useful although
I sometimes wish we didn’t have to do so
much of it.
21. Which is correct?
1. I drive too fast on the freeway; as a result, I
will get a ticket or maybe have an accident.
2. I drive too fast on the freeway I will get a
ticket or maybe have an accident.
22. Which is correct?
1. Ali did not agree with the method he was
taught, he found other means to solve the
problem.
2. Ali did not agree with the method he was
taught, so he found other means to solve the
problem.
23. Which is correct?
1. Maria and John like tennis, but Karen does
not.
2. Maria and John like tennis Karen does not.
24. Correct the following run-ons or comma splices
1. Some people are friendly I like to talk to them.
2. Wearing uniforms is a good idea, it’s easier to get
dressed in the morning.
3. Math is a hard subject you have to study every day.
4. She went to the mall, she went to the birthday party.
5. Kevin and his friend went for a walk it was a beautiful
day.
6. Tom delivered newspapers in the rain he got very wet.
7. On Monday we went outside for a short break, it was
fun
8. The kids had a snack they ate too much.
9. The show begins at 7:30 make sure you're there before
7:15.
26. Another Activity
Americans use more energy per person than any other
people in the world we have only 6 percent of the world’s
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.
