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Study Section 3: The Comma Splice and Run-on (or Fused) Sentence

3.1 Connect

The sentence is the basic unit of your communication. When sentences are not constructed properly,
the writer’s meaning may be completely misunderstood. Consider the following sentences:
“Let’s walk Doggie.”
“Let’s walk, Doggie.”
In the first example, it is clear that the writer is talking about walking a dog named Doggie. In the
second sentence, the writer is speaking to Doggie. One of the most common errors made by writers is the run-on
sentence. Run-ons contain too much information and confuse the reader. The following lesson addresses some
common errors that might make your make writing confusing to your reader.

3.2 Comma Splices, Run-ons, and Fragments

The Comma Splice and Run-On (Or Fused) Sentence

Comma splices and run-ons are major punctuation errors that can commonly show up in your writing.
What do these terms mean? How can you correct or avoid these errors?
Let’s start with two simple sentences:
Tony is dishonest. He steals hubcaps for a living.
Even though these are simple ideas, both of these statements pass the independent sentence test: Each one
contains a subject and a verb; each one also expresses a complete thought.

In writing your ideas down, you are usually concerned with the meaning and detail of your sentences and often
don’t pay enough attention to punctuation, especially where one sentence ends and another begins. That’s when
you get into trouble with incorrect punctuation.

► A comma splice - occurs when only a comma separates two independent sentences.
Example:
Tony is dishonest, he steals hubcaps for a living. (comma splice)

► A run-on (or fused) sentence - occurs when no punctuation at all separates independent sentences.
Example:
Tony is dishonest he steals hubcaps for a living. (run-on sentence)

A comma splice or run-on sentence can also occur when you use transition words.
Example:
The U.S. Postal Service is usually very reliable, however, sometimes a letter is not delivered for weeks, months, or
even years.
Again, there are two independent sentences in the example above. Transition words (like however, therefore,
nevertheless, consequently, and then) cannot be used alone with a comma to connect the two sentences.
Corrected versions of the previous sentences could be:
1. The U.S. Postal Service is usually very reliable; however, sometimes a letter is not delivered for weeks, months,
or even years.

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