Run-Ons and Comma Splices

Run-ons
A run-on is similar to a crowded area because a run-on includes sentence parts that
are crammed together without the correct connecting word and/or punctuation.
Yesterday, we went to the zoo we saw a stunning tiger.
Look at the sentence carefully. Let's figure out how many clauses the sentence
has first.
Find the related groups of words that include a subject and a verb.
• Yesterday, we went to the zoo
• we saw a stunning tiger
Are these clauses independent or dependent?
• Since each clause can stand alone, both clauses are independent.
What is between the two independent clauses?
• Nothing—they are crammed together.
What should be between two independent clauses?
• A comma and coordinating conjunction (Remember FANBOYS?) OR
• A semicolon
1. You can also change the structure of the sentence so that it doesn't have two
independent clauses and, therefore, doesn't need a comma and coordinating
conjunction or semicolon.
2. Rewrite the run-on, making it a complete sentence.
Here are some ways you can correct the run-on:
3. Yesterday, we went to the zoo, and we saw a stunning tiger (adding a comma
and coordinating conjunction).
4. Yesterday, we went to the zoo and saw a stunning tiger (taking out the second
subject to make the sentence one clause long).
5. When we went to the zoo yesterday, we saw a stunning tiger (changing an
independent clause to a dependent [adverb] clause by adding a subordinating
conjunction).
6. We saw a stunning tiger at the zoo yesterday (replacing a clause with a
prepositional phrase).
I could have spent a long time just gazing at the lion but my cousin was more
interested in other animals.
Look at the sentence carefully. Let's figure out how many clauses the sentence has first.
Find the related groups of words that include a subject and a verb.
• I could have spent a long time just gazing at the lion (Gazing is not a verb
because it ends in ing and does not have a helping verb.)
• my cousin was more interested in other animals
Are these clauses independent or dependent?
• Since both clauses can stand alone, both clauses are independent.
What is between the two independent clauses?
• but (a coordinating conjunction)
What should be between two independent clauses?
• a comma and coordinating conjunction OR
• a semicolon
How can we easily correct this sentence? All we need is a comma before but.
• I could have spent a long time just gazing at the lion, but my cousin was more
interested in other animals.
What is another way we can correct the run-on?
• Although I could have easily spent a long time just gazing at the lion, my
cousin was more interested in other animals (adding a subordinating conjunction
to one clause, making it dependent).
Our soccer team practiced for three hours now we feel prepared.
What are the clauses in this sentence?
Our soccer team practiced for three hours
now we feel prepared
Are these clauses independent or dependent?
• Since both clauses can stand alone, both clauses are independent.
What is between the two independent clauses?
• nothing
What should be between two independent clauses?
• a comma and coordinating conjunction OR
• a semicolon
How can we correct this sentence?
We could use a semicolon:
• Our soccer team practiced for three hours; now we feel prepared.
We could use a comma and coordinating conjunction:
• Our soccer team practiced for three hours, and now we feel prepared.

2
John plays soccer, basketball, and golf and his sister plays volleyball and runs
track.
What are the clauses in this sentence?
John plays soccer, basketball, and golf
his sister plays volleyball and runs track (We have a compound verb but only one
subject, so this is one clause.)
Are these clauses independent or dependent?
• Both clauses can stand alone, so both clauses are independent.
What is between the two independent clauses?
• and (a coordinating conjunction)
What should be between two independent clauses?
• a comma and coordinating conjunction OR
• a semicolon
How can we correct this sentence? Perhaps add a comma before and?
• This sentence is tricky and an exception to the rule because the first clause
already has commas.
• To make a clear distinction between the independent clauses, we use a
semicolon along with the coordinating conjunction.
Corrected Sentence: John plays soccer, basketball, and golf; and his sister
plays volleyball and runs track.

Comma Splice
A comma splice is two independent clauses connected by only a comma. This comma
connector does not work, though, since we need a comma and a coordinating
conjunction to connect two independent clauses.
Jennifer practiced her speech ten times, she is extremely prepared.
Let's start by finding the clauses in the sentence:
• Jennifer practiced her speech ten times
• she is extremely prepared
Are these clauses independent or dependent?
• independent
How are they joined?
• by a comma
Can just a comma connect two independent clauses?
• No. We need to add a coordinating conjunction after the comma OR replace
the comma with a semicolon.

3
Corrected: Jennifer practiced her speech ten times, so she is extremely prepared.
Corrected: Jennifer practiced her speech ten times; she is extremely prepared.
My alarm clock was set for the correct time, however, it did not go off.
Let's look at the sentence above. Does it look correct to you?
What are the clauses?
• Clause #1: My alarm clock was set for the correct time
• Clause #2: it did not go off
Are these clauses independent or dependent?
• independent
What is right after the first clause?
• a comma
Is there a coordinating conjunction?
• No. However is a transitional word rather than a coordinating conjunction.
We have a comma splice.
When a sentence uses transitional words such as however, moreover,
furthermore, nevertheless, therefore, etc., a semicolon must be placed before
the transitional word.
Typically, a comma will follow the transitional word. You can test this by
reading the sentence aloud and listening to see if you naturally pause after the
transitional word. If you do, you need the comma.
Corrected Sentence: My alarm clock was set for the correct time; however, it did not
go off.
I have been tired all week, nevertheless, I am feeling better today.
Comma splice or sentence? Look closely at those clauses and what's in between
them.
7. I have been tired all week
8. I am feeling better today
What is connecting the two independent clauses?
, nevertheless,
• Is nevertheless a coordinating conjunction?
• FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
• It's not! It must be a transitional word.
How should we change the sentence?
Corrected: I have been tired all week; nevertheless, I am feeling better today.
(semicolon with transitional word)

4
 Corrected: I have been tired all week, but I am feeling better today. (replacing
transitional word with coordinating conjunction)