Week 3

Chapters: 7-9, 27&28

Run-Ons and Comma Splices

Chap. 7&8

Basics

• A run-on is made up of two complete thoughts that are incorrectly run together without a connection between them.

• Example:– Dolphins have killed sharks they never attack humans.

• 2 complete thoughts: Dolphins have killed sharks + they never attack humans.

Comma Splice

• Is made up of 2 complete thoughts that are incorrectly joined (or spliced) together with only a comma. A comma alone is not enough to connect 2 complete thoughts.

• Example:– Dolphins have killed sharks, they never attack

humans.

Correcting Run-Ons + Comma Splices

Using a period and a capital letter

Method 1

• Run-On: The computer hummed loudly the sound was annoying.

• Comma splice: The computer hummed loudly, the sound was annoying.

• Correct: The computer hummed loudly. The sound was annoying.

Use a Comma and a Joining Word

Method 2

• (common joining words: and, but, and so)• Run-on: Dolphins have killed sharks they never

attack humans.• Comma splice: Dolphins have killed sharks, they

never attack humans.• Correct: Dolphins have killed sharks, but they

never attack humans.

More

• Run-on: The garden is overgrown the fence is falling down.

• Comma splice: The garden is overgrown, the fence is falling down.

• Correct: The garden is overgrown, and the fence is falling down.

More x 2

• Run-on: The little boy appeared to be lost several women stopped to help him.

• Comma splice: The little boy appeared to be lost, several women stopped to help him.

• Correct: The little boy appeared to be lost, so several women stopped to help him.

• Examples: Pg. 90-91

Other Ways to correct run-ons and

comma splicesChapter 8

Dependent Word

• When you add a dependent word the sentence will then include one thought that depends upon the remaining complete thought for its full meaning.

• Pg. 97 (list of dependent words)

Example

• Run-on: Dolphins have killed sharks they never attack humans.

• Comma splice: Dolphins have killed sharks, they never attack humans.

• Using the dependent word although, the sentence can be corrected.

• Although dolphins have killed sharks, they never attack humans.

More

• Remember when a dependent thought begins a sentence, it is followed by a comma.

• Run-on: The roads are covered with ice school has been canceled.

• Correct:Because the roads are covered with ice school has been canceled.

More x 2

• Comma splice: The water began to boil, I added ears of corn.

• Correct: After the water began to boil, I added ears of corn.

• Run-on: The fish was served with its head on Carlo quickly lost his appetite.

• Correct: When the fish was served with its head on, Carlo quickly lost his appetite.

More x 3

• Comma splice: You better not store cereal in the basement, there are mice there.

• Correct: You better not store cereal in the basement since there are mice there.

• Examples: Pg. 100-101

The Comma

Chapter 9

Basics

• 3 main uses of the comma:1. The comma is used to separate three or more

items in a series.• The school cafeteria has learned not to serve broccoli,

spinach, or Brussels sprouts.• The letters k, j, x, z, and q are the least frequently

used letters in the alphabet.• Our tasks for the party are blowing up balloons,

setting the tables, and planning the music.

Basics x 2

2. The comma is used to separate introductory material from the rest of the sentence.

• After taking a hot shower, Vince fell asleep on the sofa.

• When covered with chocolate syrup, frozen yogurt is not a diet food.

• As the movie credits rolled, we stretched and headed toward the exits.

Basics x 3

3. The comma is used between 2 complete thoughts connected by and, but, or so.

• Lee broke her leg in the accident, and her car was badly damaged.

• The forecast called for rain, but it’s a beautiful sunny day.

• My glasses broke, so I mended them with duct tape.

Other hints

• A comma often marks a slight pause, or break, in a sentence. When you read a sentence aloud, you can often hear the points where the slight pauses occur.

• In general, usa a comma only when a comma rule applies or when a comma is otherwise needed to help a sentence read clearly.

• Rule 3: Do not use a comma just because a sentence contains and, but, or so. Use a comma only when the and, but, or so comes between 2 complete thought. Each of the 2 thoughts must have its own subject and verb.

Example

• Comma: Lee broke her leg in the accident, and her car was badly damaged.– Each complete thought has a subject and verb: Lee

broke and car was damaged.

• No Comma: Lee broke her leg in the accident and badly damaged her car.– This sentence expresses only 1 complete thought. The

subject Lee has 2 verbs: broke and damaged.

• Examples: Pg. 110-111

More about Run-ons and

Comma SplicesChapter 27

Common Ways of Correction

1. Use a period and a capital letter.

2. Use a comma and a joining word.

3. Use a Dependent word.

Semicolon

• Run-on sentences and comma splices may be corrected by putting a semicolon (;) between the 2 complete thoughts. A semicolon is made up of a period and a comma. It is used between 2 closely related complete thoughts.

Example

• Run-on: The fish was served with its head still on Fred quickly lost his appetite.

• Comma splice: The fish was served with its head still on, Fred quickly lost his appetite.

• Correct: The fish was served with its head still on; Fred quickly lost his appetite.

• Examples: pg. 261

; with Transitional Word or

Words• A ; is sometimes used with a transitional word(s)

and a comma to join 2 complete thoughts.• Run-on: The fish was served with its head still on

Fred quickly lost his appetite.• Comma splice: The fish was served with its head

still on, Fred quickly lost his appetite.• Correct: The fish was served with its head still on; as

a result, Fred quickly lost his appetite.• Common transitional words: pg. 262• Examples: pg. 262

More about Commas

Chapter 28

6 Comma Rules

1. The comma is used to separate three or more items in a series.

2. The comma is used to separate introductory material from the rest of the sentence.

3. The comma is used between 2 complete thoughts connected by and, but, or so.

4. Around words that interrupt the flow of a sentence.5. For words of direct address and short expressions.6. In dates, addresses, and letters.

Rule #4

• Sentences sometimes contain material that interrupts the flow of the thought. Such words and word groups should be set off rom the rest of the sentence by commas.

• Our minivan, which has stickers from every state we’ve visited, seems like part of the family.– which has stickers from every state we’ve

visited-interrupts flow of the thought.

More

• Lisa, who was wearing a new dress, yelled at the waiter who spilled wine on her.

• The waiter, however, was not very apologetic.

• The restaurant manager, afraid that Lisa might cause a scene, rushed to help.

More

• A word group that identifies another word in the sentence is not an interrupter. It is needed for the full meaning of the sentence and should not be set off with commas.

• The man who came to the party with Joy says he was kidnapped by aliens.

• Harvey, who came to the party with Joy, says he was kidnapped by aliens.

• Examples: pg. 266

Direct Addressand

Short Expressions• For words of direct address: Use commas to set

off names or other words used to address directly the person or people being spoken to.

• You, Mr. Gimble, are the lucky winner of a ballpoint pen.

• Ladies and gentlemen, the sword-swallower is unable to perform tonight due to a bad sore throat.

Short ExpressionsExamples

• Use commas to set off words such as well, yes, no, and oh.

• No, you cannot have a raise.

• Well, I thought I would at least ask.

Dates, Addresses, and Letters

• Within a date: Place commas after the day of the week (if used), the date, and the year.

• Friday, October 13, 2003, was the date of the wedding.

• On March 7, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell received a patent for the telephone.

Addresses

• Place a comma after each part of the address except between the state and the zip code.

• Send comments to Townsend Press, 1038 Industrial Drive, West Berlin, NJ 08091-9164.

Letters

• Place a comma after the opening and closing.– Dear Grandma,– With love,– Fondly,

• In business letters, a colon is used after the opening, but a comma is still used after the closing.– Dear Mr. Cramer:– Dear Homeowner:– Yours truly,

• Examples: pg. 267-8