 In order to understand how to find and correct run-ons and comma splice errors, you must
understand what makes a correct sentence. A "legal" sentence in English is usually
made up of an INDEPENDENT CLAUSE, either with a DEPENDENT CLAUSE or by itself. An
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE is one that can stand by itself (that's why it's called "independent")
and make logical, grammatical sense. It does not have to contain every bit of information that
one would need in order to fully grasp a complex idea -- that's what paragraphs are for. All an
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE really needs is a subject (usually the DOER of the action) and a VERB (the
ACTION itself). Anything else is extra and adds information.
For example:
- ex 1. Bob ran.
- Subject (Doer): Bob.
Action: ran.
- ex 2. We saw the boat.
- Subject (Doer): We
Action: saw.
Extra stuff: Object (receiver of action) = the boat.
- ex 3. The car is orange.
- Subject: The car.
Action (or state of being): is.
Object (in this case, a description of subject): orange.
Sometimes the subject is not written in the sentence, but is understood to be there because we
use these sentences as commands to a person, who then is supposed to do the action. We put the
subject in brackets because it's not written in the sentence, but we know it is there anyway.
For example:
- ex 1. Go!
- Subject (Doer): [You]
Action: Go.
- ex 2. Get lost!
- Subject: (Doer) [You]
Action: Get lost.
As you can see, these sentences are not complex, and don't have a lot of information, but are
INDEPENDENT CLAUSES. These clauses are different from DEPENDENT CLAUSES. A DEPENDENT CLAUSE,
then, is a clause that CAN'T stand by itself. It is dependent on another independent clause in
order to make sense or to be a sentence. Often DEPENDENT CLAUSES are missing a verb or are
missing a subject (both in the sentence and in the meaning) or are made into a DEPENDENT CLAUSE
because of other words added into the sentence that make them dependent on another clause in
order to have meaning. For more information on the DEPENDENT CLAUSES and the mistakes caused
by them (FRAGMENTS), see the Fragment Handout. The crux of this
discussion is using two independent clauses as one -- this is a RUN-ON.
There are two basic types: the COMMA SPLICE and the RUN-ON. The RUN-ON is
merely the linking of two independent clauses with no intervening punctuation. The remedy is to
add a period or a semi-colon, or to add a comma with the appropriate conjunction. Sometimes a
transition will also work with a semi-colon or a period.
- ex 1. I'm hungry now I want a cheeseburger.
remedy: I'm hungry now. I want a cheeseburger.
or
I'm hungry now; I want a cheeseburger.
or
I'm hungry now, and I want a cheeseburger.
- ex 2. Her music touches the listeners thus they are able to feel her pain.
remedy: Her music touches the listeners. Thus, they are able to feel her pain.
or
Her music touches the listeners; thus, they are able to feel her pain.
- ex 3. He has written many songs we hear every day "Like A Rock" is one of them.
remedy: He has written many songs we hear every day; "Like A Rock" is one of them.
or
He has written many songs we hear every day. "Like A Rock" is one of them.
- ex 4. I did my essay I just didn't read the story.
remedy: I did my essay. I just didn't read the story.
or
I did my essay; I just didn't read the story.
or
I did my essay, but I just didn't read the story.
or
I did my essay; however, I just didn't read the story.
- ex 5. Jack is married he has changed.
remedy: Jack is married. He has changed.
or
Jack is married; he has changed.
or
Jack is married, and he has changed.
COMMA SPLICES are two independent clauses linked with a comma. A period or semi-colon in place
of the comma will work. Also, in many cases, adding the appropriate conjunction after the
comma will make a logical sentence.
- ex 1. He said that life could be hard, take it day by day.
remedy: He said that life could be hard; take it day by day.
or
He said that life could be hard. Take it day by day.
or
He said that life could be hard, and we should take it day by day.
- ex 2. We all have the same good intentions, just don't forget it.
remedy: We all have the same good intentions; just don't forget it.
or
We all have the same good intentions. Just don't forget it.
- ex 3. It doesn't matter who you are, we are all the same inside.
remedy: It doesn't matter who you are; we are all the same inside.
or
It doesn't matter who you are, as we are all the same inside.
or
It doesn't matter who you are. We are all the same inside.
- ex 4. Vaughan was right, the littlest things keep us close to the ones we love.
remedy: Vaughan was right; the littlest things keep us close to the ones we love.
or
Vaughan was right, for the littlest things keep us close to the ones we love.
or
Vaughan was right. The littlest things keep us close to the ones we love.
- ex 5. We were only ten minutes late, however my parents yelled at us anyway.
remedy: We were only ten minutes late; however, my parents yelled at us anyway.
or
We were only ten minutes late. However, my parents yelled at us anyway.
© T. T. Eiland, January 1998
Last modified: March 30, 2000
|
