Avoiding Run-ons and Comma Splices
What Is a Run-on or Comma Splice?A run-on sentence is a group of words without punctuation showing where the first sentence ends and the second begins. A comma splice is a group of words with only a comma showing where the first sentence ends and the second begins. Both run-ons and comma splices are grammar errors. They can confuse the reader by running one idea into another.
Example:
RUN-ON: Word processing offers useful editing tools for writers it can help them locate and correct many typical grammar errors.
COMMA SPLICE: Word processing offers useful editing tools for writers, it can help them locate and correct many typical grammar errors.
CORRECT: Word processing offers useful editing tools for writers. It can help them locate and correct many typical grammar errors.
What are the main causes of run-ons and comma splices?
- The writer isn't sure where one sentence ends and the next begins.
This often happens when the next sentence starts with a pronoun (such as
IT, THIS, THAT) .
- The writer doesn't follow these THREE SIMPLE PUNCTUATION RULES.
- Use your computer's FIND/REPLACE
function to search for problem words like pronouns or transitionals
and check to make sure that you haven't accidentally run two
thoughts together.
- Read your paper out loud.
Typically, your voice will drop at the end of a completed thought.
That can help you consider places where periods may be needed.
- Use a text-to-speech program like ReadPlease that reads your essay out loud while you follow along on
the screen.
- Start your proofreading with the last sentence of the paper and read backwards to the beginning. That helps you see the structure of your sentences without being influenced by the content of the thoughts before and after.
Use a period (NOT a comma) at the end of a sentence.
