The document provides guidelines on avoiding run-on sentences, comma splices, and incorrect sentence fragments, emphasizing the importance of correct punctuation. It explains various methods for correcting these errors, including separating sentences with periods, using semicolons, and joining sentences with conjunctions. Practical examples and exercises are included to reinforce the learning of these grammar rules.

1. Avoiding Run-on Sentences , Comma splice,
Comparison Essays
and Fragments
Getting your
punctuation Right ! ,
;
ELCA 216 2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi
2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi

2. Avoiding Run-on Sentences , Comma splice,
Comparison Essays
and Fragments
ELCA 216 2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi
2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi

3. Avoiding Run-on Sentences , Comma splice,
Comparison Essays
and Fragments
A comma signals a pause. (It tells the reader to slow down
briefly, but then keep going until the thought is completed.)
Example:
Because I like writing , I like this class.
ELCA 216 2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi
2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi

4. Avoiding Run-on Sentences , Comma splice,
Comparison Essays
and Fragments
Semicolons and periods signal a full stop. Idea is
complete.
ELCA 216 2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi
2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi
Examples:
I love writing . I love this class.
I love writing ; I love this class.
STOP!

5. Avoiding Run-on Sentences , Comma splice,
Comparison Essays
and Fragments
 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.
ELCA 216 2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi
2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi
Example:
We all like grammar we all love this class.

6. Avoiding Run-on Sentences , Comma splice,
Comparison Essays
and Fragments
 What is a comma splice ?
A comma splice is a sentence error caused by putting
just a poor, weak comma between two complete
ELCA 216 2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi
2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi
sentences.
Example:
We all like grammar , we all love this class.
,

7. Avoiding Run-on Sentences , Comma splice,
Comparison Essays
and Fragments
 How can I correct comma splices and run-ons?
1. Separate them with a period, creating two complete
sentences.
STOP
We like writing . We love this class.
ELCA 216 2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi
2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi

8. Avoiding Run-on Sentences , Comma splice,
Comparison Essays
and Fragments
 Use a period to correct the following run-ons and
comma splice:
o These punctuation rules aren’t hard I know how to avoid run-ons.
o These punctuation rules aren’t hard. I know how to avoid
run-ons.
o My new supervisor has been making all sorts of changes,
she is really causing problems.
o My new supervisor has been making all sorts of changes.
ELCA 216S h e i s r e a l l y 2 cndaseumseinstger ,p 2r0o1b4 l e m s . Mrs. Manal Alahmadi
216 2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi

9. Avoiding Run-on Sentences , Comma splice,
Comparison Essays
and Fragments
 How can I correct comma splices and run-ons?
2. 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.
ELCA 216 2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi
2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi
Example:
We like writing ; we love this
class.
STOP!
No caps!

10. Avoiding Run-on Sentences , Comma splice,
Comparison Essays
and Fragments
 How can I correct comma splices and run-ons?
3. Join the two sentences with a comma and one of the
FANBOYS. (FOR, AND, NOR, BUT, OR, YET, SO)
Example:
We all like writing , and we all love this class.
ELCA 216 2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi
2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi

11. Avoiding Run-on Sentences , Comma splice,
Comparison Essays
and Fragments
 Now you try! Use one of the FANBOYS to correct this
run-on sentence:
o I want a raise I want more vacation days.
o I want a raise, and I want more vacation days.
ELCA 216 2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi
2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi

12. Avoiding Run-on Sentences , Comma splice,
Comparison Essays
and Fragments
 How can I correct comma splices and run-ons?
4. Join the two separate sentences into one, with a
subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun.
We all like writing , we all love this class.
comma splice
Because we all like grammar, we all love this class.
All students who like grammar love this class.
ELCA 216 2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi
2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi
dependent clause
dependent clause

13. Avoiding Run-on Sentences , Comma splice,
Comparison Essays
and Fragments
 Now Test yourself! Which one is correct?
1. I’m really good with punctuation, because I have been
practicing so much.
1. I’m really good with punctuation; because, I have been
practicing so much.
ELCA 216 2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi
2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi

14. Avoiding Run-on Sentences , Comma splice,
Comparison Essays
and Fragments
Thank you
ELCA 216 2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi
2nd semester, 2014 Mrs. Manal Alahmadi