COMMA SPLICE

A comma by itself cannot join two sentences.  Doing so creates a comma splice.

INCORRECT EXAMPLE:            The clouds created a dark sky, the rain began to fall.

1.         One way to correct a comma splice is to write the information as two sentences.

CORRECT EXAMPLE:     The clouds created a dark sky.  The rain began to fall.

2.         Another way to correct a comma splice would be to use a comma along with a coordinating conjunction.  There are seven coordinating conjunctions whose first letters form the acronym FANBOYS:

For                   But

And                 Or

Nor                  Yet

So

CORRECT EXAMPLE:     The clouds created a dark sky, and the rain began to fall.

3.         A third option to correct the comma splice is to use a semi-colon.  This punctuation joins what could be two sentences.

CORRECT EXAMPLE:        The clouds created a dark sky; the rain began to fall.

SENTENCE FRAGMENTS

Sentence fragments are another common error.  A sentence fragment is a group of words, not a complete sentence.  Remember that to be a complete sentence, a group of words must have a subject and a verb and must express a complete idea.  Thus a group of words must not depend on the sentence before it or after it to provide a complete idea.

INCORRECT EXAMPLE:            When working on your term paper, first develop a time table to show when stages must be turned in.  Usually one month before the due date.

Usually one month before the due date is a sentence fragment.  It does not contain a subject, a verb, nor a complete thought.  To correct this fragment, add a subject and a verb.

CORRECT EXAMPLE:     When working on your term paper, first develop a time table to show when stages must be turned in.  Usually, you should develop a time table one month before the due date.

NOTE:           Verb forms ending in -ing, -ed, or -en that do not have a helping verb cannot be used as the single main verb in a complete sentence.

INCORRECT EXAMPLE:            The man painting our roof.

CORRECT EXAMPLE:     The man was painting our roof.

CORRECT EXAMPLE:     The man painting our roof had a dangerous job.

RUN-ON SENTENCES

Run-on sentences join too much information, usually two independent clauses without a conjunction or correct punctuation.

INCORRECT EXAMPLE:                        Ms. Davis was my first grade teacher in 1975 she is still teaching first grade today in the same school.

CORRECT EXAMPLE:                             Ms. Davis was my first grade teacher in 1975.  She is still teaching first grade today in the same school.

CORRECT EXAMPLE:                             Ms. Davis was my first grade teacher in 1975, and she is still teaching first grade today in the same school.

CORRECT EXAMPLE:                             Ms. Davis was my first grade teacher in 1975; she is still teaching first grade today in the same school.

INCORRECT EXAMPLE:                        My mother is the best cook in the world even though she does not believe it I know she will win the recipe contest at the county fair this year.

CORRECT EXAMPLE:                             My mother is the best cook in the world.  Even though she does not believe it, I know she will win the recipe contest at the county fair this year.