Sentence Errors Comma-Splices and Run-ons You need a full sheet of paper for taking notes and for the quiz at the end.

Comma-Splices and Run-ons A Psycholinguistic Model of How Our Brains Process Sentences See: The KISS Grammar Psycholinguistic Model on the web.The KISS Grammar Psycholinguistic Model on the web.

Comma-Splices and Run-ons In a comma-splice (-1 CS), two sentences are joined (spliced) with just a comma. In a run-on (-1 RO), two sentences are run into each other with no punctuation to separate them. In either case, the reader’s mind attempts to chunk the words in the second sentence into the first. This confuses the reader.

Fixing Comma-Splices and Run-ons There are three basic ways to fix either of these errors: 1. Separate them with a period and a capital letter. 2. Separate them with a semicolon, colon or dash. 3. Make one of them a subordinate clause.

A Comma-Splice The following sentence contains a comma- splice. Fix it. They were not any ordinary brownies, they were marijuana brownies.

A Comma-Splice 1. They were not any ordinary brownies. They were marijuana brownies. 2. They were not any ordinary brownies; they were marijuana brownies. 3. They were not any ordinary brownies— they were marijuana brownies.

A Comma-Splice The following sentence contains a comma- splice. Fix it. Taking the kids to dentist and doctor appointments was the sole responsibility of the wife, now husbands must take more responsibility in doing these jobs.

A Comma-Splice  Taking the kids to dentist and doctor appointments was the sole responsibility of the wife. Now husbands must take more responsibility in doing these jobs.  Taking the kids to dentist and doctor appointments was the sole responsibility of the wife; now husbands must take more responsibility in doing these jobs.

A More Complicated Example The following sentence contains a comma- splice. Fix it. Laertes is much loved by Polonius, as he leaves for his ship back to France, Polonius gives him a torrent of fatherly advice and his love.

A More Complicated Example  Laertes is much loved by Polonius. As he leaves for his ship back to France, Polonius gives him a torrent of fatherly advice and his love.  Laertes is much loved by Polonius—as he leaves for his ship back to France, Polonius gives him a torrent of fatherly advice and his love.

Quiz Time On your paper, fix the errors in the following sentences: 1. My family is very large, my parents have thirteen children. 2. In the end Edie finds that the truth was always there she just had to grow and experience life in order to filter it out. 3. Not all tires are created equal, there are many factors that determine what type of tire goes on a automobile. 4. Next are level two thinkers, these thinkers make decisions based on what is good for the group as a whole, not just themselves.