Mignot fogarty, better known as grammar girl provides the public with an accessible reference on punctuation. Klinck, unravelling the comma splice like fragments, comma splices are only a nono when done poorly. Fourth grade teacher, las vegas public school system whether you are a grammar phobe seeking guidance, a parent looking for a tutorial that your kids will enjoy and therefore use or a writer seeking a fun reference manual for frustrating recurring questions, grammar girls quick and dirty tips for. I decided to write about comma splices because my friend scott sigler has a book coming out this week, ancestor, published by crown. A comma splice is two independent clauses complete sentences joined by a comma. My estate goes to my husband, son, daughterinlaw, and nephew. If this was quoted incorrectly to me, then i give the author his due apology. Runon sentences and comma splices guide to grammar. How to correct the sentence containing a comma splice. She is an inductee in the podcasting hall of fame, and the show is a fivetime winner of best education podcast in the. Feb 20, 2014 however, as grammar girl so eloquently states in her blog condemning the comma splice, you are not cormac mccarthy. The comma splice is one of the most frequent mistakes made when using a comma.
Whether or not you use the serial comma is a style choice. Written with the wit, warmth, and accessibility that the podcasts are known for, grammar girl s quick and dirty tips for better writing covers the grammar rules and wordchoice guidelines that can confound even the best writers. Im not concerned about dangling prepositions or split infinitives, but my god, it gets to me when people misuse affect and effect, comma splice. In your own writing, you can decide for yourself whether to use it or notjust be consistent. The computer in my room is old, but the carpet is ancient. It is better to avoid the term runon sentence altogether and use only the terms comma splice and fused sentence.
The comma splice recognize a comma splice when you see one. When two independent clauses appear in one sentence, they can be joined in one of many ways. In this example the two clauses make sense on their own. Comma splices, worksheet 3, 16 exercises copyright 2010 2015. Runon sentences and comma splices tip sheets butte. First, practice identifying runons and comma splices. Do not arbitrarily throw the rules of grammar to the wind. They give us a way to combine ideas and make our sentences more interesting. Independent clauses have conjugated verbs and can stand alone as sentences. But this use of then as a coordinating conjunction is actually both widespread and widely accepted. When you use a comma to connect two independent clauses, it must be accompanied by a little conjunction and, but, for, nor, yet, or, so. Grammar and mechanics runons and comma splices in order to be complete, a sentence must have a subject and predicate that form an independent clause. A comma splice or comma fault is the use of a comma to join tw a word that connects or joins together words, phrases, clauses a clause that can form a complete sentence standing alone, hav.
The term comma splice refers to a comma that is used to incorrectly join two independent clauses, thereby creating a runon sentence. Comma splices answer key and teaching tips comma splice answer keyteaching tips. Jim usually gets on with everybody, he is an understanding person. Comma splices are one of the most common comma errors, but they can be. The clause following them they were such huge fans of those shows is an independent clause. Unfortunately little more can be done than to warn beginners that any serious slip here is much worse than they will probably suppose, and recommend them to observe the practice of.
Comma splices are also occasionally used in fiction, poetry, and other forms of literature to convey a particular mood or informal style. Online grammar handbook, online grammar book, links to. One way to fix a comma splice is to add a conjunction immediately after the comma. However, as grammar girl so eloquently states in her blog condemning the comma splice, you are not cormac mccarthy.
When two independent clauses are connected by only a comma, they constitute a runon sentence that is called a commasplice. A word group that can stand alone as a sentence is known as an independent clause. If they chose therefore to include a fragment or, less commonly, a comma splice, they probably were aiming at a certain effect. Grammarlys writing assistant can help you make sure your punctuation, spelling, and. The comma splice is more commonly found in works from the 18th and 19th century, when written prose mimicked speech more closely. A comma splice is a type of runon sentence that occurs when two independent clauses are incorrectly joined together. If adding a conjunction doesnt seem to work, you can change the. Those are worldclass examples of runon sentences, and the common element among them is the comma splice. Here, we try to understand what a comma splice is with the help of a few examples. It therefore needs to be joined to the first part of the sentence, the compound independent clause i dont remember many saturday morning cartoons, but may and john can name pretty much all of them using a semicolon, a comma followed by a conjunction, or a period, not just a comma. In the example above, bob was late for work and he hoped he. I am not angry with you, but i am not happy with you, either. Ten grammar rules every writer should know writing forward. Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items.
Grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing. Mignon fogarty is the founder of quick and dirty tips and the author of seven books on language, including the. Among the signs that more particularly betray the uneducated writer is inability to see when a comma is not a sufficient stop. The storm howled in the night and the children hid in their beds are independent clauses. Here are two ways that you can properly punctuate compound sentences. Im a legitimate punctuation mark, get me out of here. Commas are also unnecessary when joining two independent classes or splitting an independent clause from a dependent clause that follows. Remember that comma splices come about when a comma alone with no coordinating conjunction comes between independent clauses. A main clause makes a complete thought, so you should not find a wimpy comma struggling to join two such powerful clauses.
Mary will pick up her sister at the beach, and then shell call us. Unfortunately little more can be done than to warn beginners that any serious slip here is much worse than they will probably suppose, and recommend them to observe the practice of good writers. Some authors use commas to separate short clauses only. A comma splice is when a comma is used unnecessarily. A fused sentence, on the other hand, occurs when two independent clauses complete ideas are joined without any punctuation. Mignon fogarty is the founder of quick and dirty tips and the author of seven books on language, including the new york times bestseller grammar girls quick and dirty tips for. Splicing is about uniting getting the independent clauses closer together and you only want to unite compatible couples.
Most newspapers and magazines drop the oxford comma in a simple series, apparently. A dependent clause or a phrase punctuated as if it were an independent clause. His voice tinged with frustration isnt an independent clause. Clarity, comma splice, complexcompound, fragment, length, runon, semicolons in grammar and sentences by yossarian the grammarian. The first occurs when a writer puts no mark of punctuation and no coordinating conjunction between independent clauses. Comma splice is a common mistake made by most people who write in the english language. The comma splice among the signs that more particularly betray the uneducated writer is inability to see when a comma is not a sufficient stop. Either use a semicolon, or punctuate them as two separate sentences. In other instances, you may want to use an exclamation point to separate the independent clauses, such as in this comma splice example. She is an inductee in the podcasting hall of fame, and. With most comma splices, the conjunction youll want to add is probably and, but, or so. Writers are often tempted to insert a comma between a subject and verb this way because speakers sometimes pause at that point in a sentence.
Often, the comma conveys a finesse which the semicolon would destroy. This is supposedly a quote by someone who wrote a popular book on punctuation that i have not read. When you diagram sentences with semicolons, join the clauses together with a dotted line and. The two clauses are independen they can stand alone, so this is an example of the comma splice. Klincks unravelling the comma splice, english journal 87. Comma splices are a common and an easily identified writing mistake so, whats a comma splice. Comma splice examples, rectifications, and exceptions. Compound sentences are made up of two or more independent clauses. Some of the items represent style choices instead of rules, such as how to use a comma in a list. The simplest way to fix comma splicing is to form two complete sentences.
The subject is a noun or pronoun that names the topic of the sentence. She could have used periods to make separate sentences, semicolons to separate the main clauses or conjunctions coordinating or subordinate to improve the sentences. Therefore, they should be corrected in any type of writing, be it formal, informal, essays, etc. The storm howled in the night, the children hid in their beds. The example just above about the sunscreen is a commasplice. Because the first independent clause lends itself to more emphasis, you could use an exclamation point after it. These two terms are more specific and more descriptive. Here are ten of most frequently ignored or unknown grammar rules and writing practices. Another fix is to replace the offending comma with a semicolon. What is the difference between a run on and a comma splice. This chart from grammar girl presents the ultimate writing guide for students gives examples of the 15 most common ways to use a comma. The comma splice occurs when a comma is used to connect two independent clauses.
The illusive comma is a sneaky little punctuation that often sneaks into the wrong places, so i decided to write a guide on how to use a comma in fiction. A comma splice, also called a runon, occurs when a writer has connected two main clauses with a comma alone. Mar 15, 20 a comma splice is two independent clauses complete sentences joined by a comma. Keep in mind, though, that occasionally the serial comma is necessary for clarity. My life would be less frustrating if everyone read this book. Comma splices infographic grammar newsletter english. For the aforementioned quote, then, you would write either im a legitimate punctuation mark. Two independent clauses complete sentences joined with a comma. Note, though, that the punctuation of this conjunctive use of. The second is called a comma splice, which occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined by just a comma and no coordinating conjunction. Grammar and style the word on college reading and writing. Grammar girls quick and dirty tips for comma splices. A runon sentence continues on and on with no clear predicate.
Fix a comma splice by inserting a period, a semicolon or a coordinating. His voice tinged with frustration is an absolute phrase that needs to be set off with a comma. Note, though, that the punctuation of this conjunctive use of then differs from the usual. Runon sentences and comma splices tip sheets butte college. Because the first independent clause lends itself to more. Commas should not be used to split a subject and verb, a compound subject, or a compound verb. Written with the wit, warmth, and accessibility that the podcasts are known for, grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing covers the grammar rules and wordchoice guidelines that can confound even the best writers. You could analyse the examples you find to determine what that effect might be and if you would like to achieve a similar effect in own fiction writing. Grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing by. Hopefully, it will help people understand the correct use of a comma in fiction. Jun 05, 2009 a comma splice is a type of runon sentence that occurs when two independent clauses are incorrectly joined together. Jun 09, 2017 mignon fogarty is the founder of quick and dirty tips and the author of seven books on language, including the new york times bestseller grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing. May 20, 2008 do not put a comma between two independent clauses. Im not concerned about dangling prepositions or split infinitives, but my god, it gets to me when people misuse affect and effect, comma splice, or think that e.
The martians look ridiculous, green jumpsuits are ugly. I can be a little annoyingly pedantic when it comes to grammar and usage. Sophia comes downstairs, wearing too much perfume as usual. Lets use the above example to show how to fix comma splices. Mignon fogarty is the founder of quick and dirty tips and the author of seven books on language, including the new york times bestseller grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing. When the independent clauses mirror the same structure. Comma splices and fused sentences are independent clauses that have not been joined correctly.
With few exceptions, a comma should not separate a subject from its verb. Believe it or not, people pay attention to those things. A comma splice is found in a sentence where a comma is used to join independent clauses when a stronger separator is called for. Two independent clauses joined with no intervening punctuation i. Jan, 2012 in other instances, you may want to use an exclamation point to separate the independent clauses, such as in this comma splice example. Runon sentences, comma splices, fragments when 2 or more simple sentences are joined together in the wrong way, the result is either a runon sentence subject verb subject verb or a comma splice subject verb, subject verb. She is an inductee in the podcasting hall of fame, and the show is a fivetime winner of best education podcast in the podcast awards. Commas can be tricky, but they dont have to trip you up.
In most instances, this is considered incorrect usage, but here are five widely accepted comma splices complete with examples of each type from anne l. If we learn the grammar rules and adopt best practices in the craft, our writing can shine. This chart from grammar girl presents the ultimate writing guide for students gives. The two clauses are linked by a conjunction, a good way around the comma splice. Because the book is acting upon sally, we are using the word as an action so we say. When the last comma in a series comes before and or or after daughterinlaw in the above example, it is known as the oxford comma. In the example above, bob was late for work and he hoped he wouldnt be fired can each stand on its own as a. Jun 25, 20 how to correct the sentence containing a comma splice. Jun 24, 2010 mignon fogarty is the founder of quick and dirty tips and the author of seven books on language, including the new york times bestseller grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing. Jan 01, 2008 my life would be less frustrating if everyone read this book. Too often, rowling connected main clauses using commas alone. A comma splice is when a two complete sentences are separated by a comma, without a conjunction.