W HAT ARE INDEPENDENT AND DEPENDENT CLAUSES ? A clause is a thought that has a subject and verb. An independent clause is a thought that can stand alone. A dependent clause is a thought that can not stand alone and depends on the independent clause. An Example: After we finished dinner, we went to the movies. The independent clause is in orange and the dependent clause is in green.

W HAT IS A R UN - ON ? “A run-on is two complete thoughts that are run together with no adequate sign given to make the break down between them” (Langan) A run-on usually lacks proper punctuation between the clauses. An Example: Brandon’s car is in the shop and the transmission has failed.

W HAT IS A C OMMA S PLICE ? A comma splice is a type of run-on sentence where two sentences are connected with a comma instead of a semicolon, or a comma and conjunction. An Example: I go to school, my brother stays home.

W HAT IS A F USED S ENTENCE ? A fused sentence is a type of run-on that has no punctuation marks at all. It is a run-on that is joined as if it is one single thought. An Example: Tom read the novel his friend saw the movie.

W HEN DO R UN - ONS A PPEAR ? “When an independent clause gives an order or directive based on what was said in the prior independent clause” (Run-ons). An Example: “This next chapter has a lot of difficult information in it, you should start studying right away” (Run-ons).

W HEN D O R UN - ONS A PPEAR ? When the second sentence has a pronoun that relates to the first sentence, run-ons frequently occur. An Example: “The men at the door claimed to have paving material left over from another job they wanted to pave our driveway for a ‘bargain price’” (Langan)

W HEN DO R UN - ONS A PPEAR ? Transitional words or phrases, such as however, therefore, and nevertheless, connecting two clauses is one of the most frequent forms of run-on sentences because it sounds and looks correctly done. An Example: It’s raining outside therefore don’t forget your umbrella.

H OW TO F IX R UN - ONS AND C OMMA S PLICES : Write each independent clause separately as sentences. Examples: “The men at the door claimed to have paving material left over from another job. They wanted to pave our driveway for a ‘bargain price.’” (Langan).

H OW TO F IX R UN - ONS AND C OMMA S PLICES : “Use a semicolon to separate the two independent clauses” (“Lesson”) Examples: Brandon’s car is in the shop; the transmission has failed. Tom read the novel; his friend saw the movie.

H OW TO F IX R UN - ONS AND C OMMA S PLICES : Use a comma and a connecting word. Connecting words are: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So (FANBOYS) Examples: “This next chapter has a lot of difficult information in it, so you should start studying right away.” (Run-ons). I go to school, and my brother stays home.

H OW TO F IX R UN - ONS AND C OMMA S PLICES : “Use a semicolon and one of the following words: therefore, furthermore, thus, however, also, nevertheless, consequently” (“Lesson”) An Example: It’s raining outside; therefore, don’t forget your umbrella.

W ORKS C ITED : Blue, Tina. "What Is a Comma Splice, and How Do I Fix It?.“ Grammar and Usage for the Non-expert. 11 August Jun "Fragments, Run-ons, and Comma Splices." Writing Center.Vincennes University. 30 Jun Langan, John. College Writing Skills with Readings. 7th. New York: McGraw, "Lesson Topic: Run-On Sentences." Myenglishteacher.net Advanced learning Center. 25 Jun "Run-on Sentences, Comma Splices." The Guide to Grammar and Writing. Capital Community Technical College Foundation. 25 Jun Wertz, Boris. “Finding and Correcting Runons and Comma Splices." copyediting-grammar-style.suite101.com. 25 Jun to_correct_runon_sentences_commasplices