COMMON ERRORS IN WRITING

Comma splices, run-on sentences, and sentence fragments are commonly made
errors in writing.

1. Comma Splices
When two independent clauses are joined through the use of a comma, a comma
splice results.
Examples:
It was raining, I walked the dog.
The lights were off, she could not see.
He was a boy, she was a girl.

Comma splices can be fixed by adding a coordinating conjunction, by using a

semicolon, or by adding a period to separate the independent clauses into two
sentences.
Examples:
It was raining, yet I walked the dog.
The lights were off; she could not see.
He was a boy. She was a girl.

2. Run-on Sentences
When two independent clauses are connected without the use of any
punctuation, the result is a run-on sentence.
Examples:
The dog was cute I pet it.
The weather was nice we had a picnic.
You cannot have dessert you did not finish your dinner.

Run-on sentences can be avoided by separating the two independent clauses

using a comma and coordinating conjunction, a semicolon, or a period.
Examples:
The dog was cute, so I pet it.
The weather was nice; we had a picnic.
You cannot have dessert. You did not finish your dinner.
3. Sentence Fragments
Sentence fragments occur when a dependent clause or otherwise incomplete
thought is treated as a full sentence.
Examples:
Because the sky was grey.
After that day.
As if it’s your last.
Sentence fragments can be solved by removing the subordinating conjunction to
create an independent clause, or by adding an independent clause to create a
complex sentence.
Examples:
The sky was grey.
After that day, my life was different.
Celebrate every day as if it’s your last.

Exercise
Identify the following as comma splices, run-on sentences, or sentence
fragments.
a) When you were running.
b) The bear was big he was scary.
c) The coat was made of cotton, the mittens were made of wool.
Offer solutions to fix the sentences above.

a) _____________________________________________________

b) _____________________________________________________

c) _____________________________________________________