This document provides guidance on avoiding common punctuation errors such as run-on sentences, comma splices, and fragments. It defines independent and dependent clauses and explains how to punctuate sentences containing dependent clauses in different positions. Various methods for correcting run-on sentences and comma splices are presented, including using periods, semicolons, coordinating conjunctions, conjunctive adverbs, and subordinating conjunctions. Examples are provided to demonstrate each correction technique.

1. Avoiding Run-on Sentences,
Comma Splices, and
Fragments
Getting Your
Punctuation Right!
,
;

2. Let’s Review: What makes a
complete sentence?
 It is a long fancy word, but an independent clause is simply a
complete sentence. It CAN stand alone. A complete sentence
has three essentials.
 It has:
 a subject (noun)
 a predicate (verb)
 and a complete thought! Example:
 The sun shines brightly.
INDEPENDENT
C L A U S E = SUBJECT + PREDICATE
Is your sentence also a complete thought?

3. What then is a dependent clause?
 A dependent clause is a
phrase that cannot
stand alone.
 You’ll often be able to
recognize a dependent
clause because many
begin with a
SUBORDINATE
CONJUNCTION
STOP!

4. Common Subordinating Conjunctions
 after
since
 when
 Although
 so
 that
 whenever
as
supposing
 where
 because
 than
 whereas
 before
 that
 Wherever
 but that
 though
 whether
 if
 Though
 which
 in order
 While
 lest
 Unless
 who
 no matter
 until
 why
 how
 What
 even though

5. How to punctuate sentences with
subordinating conjunctions
 Beginning of a sentence
 When you have a dependent clause at the beginning of
the sentence, you ALWAYS have to add a comma after it.
 As soon as it stopped raining, we saw a double
rainbow.
 Dependent , + Independent

6. How to punctuate sentences with
subordinating conjunctions
 End of a sentence
 If you have a dependent clause in the back/end of the
sentence, you DO NOT USUALLY need a comma.*

 We saw a double rainbow as soon as it stopped
raining.
 Independent + Dependent
 *On occasion you will need a comma when a dependent
clause is at the end of the sentence, but that depends on
style and clarity. For example, when the dependent clause
starts with “which” or “especially.”

7. How to punctuate sentences with
subordinating conjunctions
 Middle of a sentence
 When you have a dependent clause in the middle of a
sentence, you need commas on both sides of the
dependent clause. *
 Frank, who loves to travel, will be our guide.
 Sub, + Dependent, + Predicate

8. What Is a Run-on Sentence?
 A run-on is when you put two
complete sentences together without
any punctuation in between.
 We all like grammar we all love this class.
Run-on

9. 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 grammar , we all love this class.
,

10.  Separate them with a period, creating two
complete sentences.
We all like grammar .
How Can I Correct Comma Splices and
Run-ons? The 1st way is to…
We all love this class.
STOP

11. Now you try! Use a period to correct
these run-ons and comma splices.
 These punctuation rules aren’t hard I know
how to avoid run-ons.
 These punctuation rules aren’t 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.
Correct!
Correct!

12.  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.
 The sentences MUST be related in order to use a
semicolon.
We like grammar ;
How Can I Correct Comma Splices
and Run-ons? The 2nd way is to…
we love this class.
STOP!
No caps!

13. How Can I Correct Comma Splices and
Run-ons? The 3rd way is to…
 Join the two sentences with a comma and
one of the COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS.
(FOR, AND, NOR, BUT, OR, YET, SO)
 We all like grammar , and we all love
this class.

14. Now you try! Use one of the FANBOYS to
correct this run-on sentence.
 I want a raise I want more vacation
days.
 I want a raise, and I want more
vacation days.
Correct!

15. How Can I Correct Comma Splices and
Run-ons? The 4th 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

16. 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!

17. 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 grammar, we all love this class.
 Because we all like grammar, we all love this class.
 All students who like grammar love this class.
dependent clause
dependent clause
comma
splice
OK!

18. Main Cause of Sentence Errors
 Confusing the Different Kinds of Joining
Words.
Refer to your handbook or the punctuation
summary on the GAS website if you aren’t
sure which kind of word it is and what
punctuation is needed.
STOPSTOP

19. Let’s try a few, just to make sure you
can catch any punctuation errors!

20. Which is correct?
 I understand run-ons, however, I’m still
having trouble with comma splices.
 I understand run-ons; however, I’m still
having trouble with comma splices.

21. Which is correct?
 I have always wanted to move to
California. The weather in California is
amazing.
 I have always wanted to move to
California, the weather in California is
amazing.

22. Which is correct?
 I’ve been given a number of new
duties, for example, I now have to do
all the filing.
 I’ve been given a number of new
duties; for example, I now have to do
all the filing.

23. Which is correct?
 This grammar practice is useful; I
sometimes wish we didn’t have to do so
much of it.
 Although I sometimes wish we didn’t
have to do so much of it, this grammar
practice is useful.

24. The
END!
No more
fragments,
comma splices,
or run-on
sentences ever
again!
You’ve got it!