1. Comma Splice Errors
Stop abusing the comma!

2. Comma Splice
The grammar crime: comma splices join two complete sentences with a comma.
Question: How do we know we have a comma splice?
Joey went to the grocery store, he needed to buy eggs for supper.
This sentence is incorrect because “Joey went to the grocery store” and “he needed to buy eggs for supper” are both complete sentences. A comma alone cannot join two sentences.

3. Comma Splice Question: How do we catch comma splice outlaws?
You can look for comma splices by examining the commas in the sentences you see. Compare the clauses it separates; if they can act as complete sentences, you have caught a comma splice outlaw.

4. Comma Splice Question: How do we rehabilitate comma splice outlaws?
There are five main methods of fixing commas splices:
1. We can separate the two clauses into two sentences by replacing the comma with a period.
Joey went to the grocery store. He needed to buy eggs for supper.

5. Comma Splice 2. We can replace the comma with a semi-colon.
Joey went to the grocery store; he needed to buy eggs for supper.
* You can only use a semi-colon when both complete sentences are related. The following is incorrect: Joey went to the grocery store; he works at Walmart.

6. Comma Splice
3. We can replace the comma with a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, for, yet, nor, or so).
Each of these words implies a relationship, so be careful that you retain the meaning of the sentence when you use these conjunctions. Note also that usually you need to place a comma before the conjunction.
Joey went to the grocery store, for he needed to buy eggs for supper.

7. Comma Splice
4. We can replace the comma with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., after, although, before, unless, as, because, even though, if, since, until, when, while).
By doing this, you change one of the independent clauses into a dependent clause.
Joey went to the store because he needed to buy eggs for supper.

8. Comma Splice
5. Replace the comma with a semi-colon and transitional word (e.g., however, moreover, on the other hand, nevertheless, instead, also, therefore, consequently, otherwise, as a result).
Note: You need to place a semi-colon before the transitional word, and a comma after the word.

9. Run On Sentence
Run-on sentences join two or more complete sentences with no punctuation.
How do we know we have a run-on sentence?
Michaela loves to draw horses she is a talented artist.
This sentence is incorrect because “Michaela loves to draw horses” and “she is a talented artist” can both stand as complete sentences.

10. Run On Sentences How do we rehabilitate run on outlaws?
There are three main methods of fixing them:
Add a period
Add a semicolon
Add a conjunction

11. Run On Sentences
Michaela loves to draw horses she is a talented artist.
Michaela loves to draw horses. She is a talented artist.
Michaela loves to draw horses; she is a talented artist.
Michaela loves to draw horses, as she is a talented artist.

12. Fix These Sentences!
1. Bill and Ted had an excellent adventure, they traveled through time to meet famous people.
2. W. C. Fields once said, “I am free of all prejudice, I hate everyone equally.”
3. The lectures are interesting and the reading is fun, however, I don’t like my professor.
4. Some think he is crazy, others believe he is a genius.
5. The weather was so hot, we ran through the neighbour’s sprinkler.