How do I correct my comma
splices and run-on sentences?
A comma
splice incorrectly joins two sentences with only a comma:
He brought his draft to the
A run-on
sentence is two sentences written together as though one long sentence:
He brought his draft to the
There are
four ways to correct comma splices and run-on sentences
Separate
the sentences with a period:
He brought his
draft to the
Join the
two sentences with a comma plus coordinating conjunction, such as
“and” or “but”:
He brought his
draft to the
Make one
of the sentences a partial sentence:
He brought his
draft to the
Or, join sentences with a semicolon:
Use several drafts when writing a paper; that’s how you’ll produce your best work.
·
Join sentences with a semicolon only when the second sentence clarifies
the first sentence.
Note that
the second sentence, “that’s how you’ll produce your
best work,” explains why
you should use several drafts when writing a paper.
A test for semicolon usage is to try the word because
or so in place of the semicolon and then read the sentences. If because or so would make
sense as a substitute for the semicolon, the semicolon is probably
correct.