Finding and Fixing Comma Splices and Fused Sentences

Understand the problem.

Comma splices and fused sentences—also known as run-ons—are sentences that contain two or more main clauses incorrectly joined together.

Every main clause has an independent subject and verb, which means that the clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. If you cram two or more main clauses together with incorrect or missing punctuation, you hurt the logical parade of ideas.

A comma splice incorrectly joins two main clauses with a comma, like this:

Main Clause + , + Main Clause = .

A fused sentence has two main clauses joined with no punctuation at all:

Main Clause + Ø + Main Clause = .

Know the solution.

To fix a comma splice or fused sentence, use one of the four strategies below.

Strategy 1 — Make two complete sentences.

Because comma splices and fused sentences contain two (or more) main clauses, you can always add a period (a full stop) at the end of the first clause and then begin the second one with a capital letter.

Read the fused sentence below:

Grandma still rides her Harley motorcycle her toy poodle balances in a basket between the handlebars.

A break should occur between motorcycle and her. To fix the problem with Strategy 1, you revise the sentence like this:

Grandma still rides her Harley motorcycle. Her toy poodle balances in a basket between the handlebars.

Strategy 2 — Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction.

There are seven coordinating conjunctions. Some students remember the seven by learning the word fanboys. Each of the seven letters of fanboys stands for one of the coordinating conjunctions.

F = for; A = and; N = nor; B = but; O = or; Y = yet; S = so

Teamed up with a comma ( , ), these seven coordinating conjunctions can correctly join two main clauses.

Consider our original example:

Grandma still rides her Harley motorcycle her toy poodle balances in a basket between the handlebars.

To fix the problem with Strategy 2, you should do this:

Grandma still rides her Harley motorcycle, and her toy poodle balances in a basket between the handlebars.

The important thing to remember with Strategy 2 is that you must use a coordinating conjunction that logically joins the two complete sentences. The coordinating conjunction but, for example, would not work in the example above because the sentence is not showing contrast.

Strategy 3 — Use a semicolon.

Unlike a comma, a semicolon ( ; ) is a strong enough mark of punctuation to join two main clauses.

Use a semicolon like this:

Grandma still rides her Harley motorcycle; her toy poodle balances in a basket between the handlebars.

Keep these three things in mind when you use a semicolon:

The two main clauses that the semicolon joins should be closely related in meaning.

Do not capitalize the word that follows the semicolon unless that word is a proper noun, one that is always capitalized.

Limit your use of semicolons. Semicolons are like glasses of champagne; save them for special occasions.

Strategy 4 — Use a subordinate conjunction.

When you are fixing a comma splice or fused sentence, subordinate conjunctions are the most difficult to use because 1) there are many subordinate conjunctions to choose from, and 2) you must use the right punctuation.

First, review the list:

Subordinate Conjunctions

after
although
as
as if
as long as
as soon as
as though
because
before
even if
even though
how
if in case
in order that
insofar as
just as
no matter how
now that
once
provided that
rather than
since
so that
than
that
though
till
unless
until
when
whenever
where
whereas
wherever
whether
while
why

Next, keep these general rules in mind:

Main Clause + Ø + Subordinate Clause.

Subordinate Clause + , + Main Clause.

Here is the original problem sentence:

Grandma still rides her Harley motorcycle her toy poodle balances in a basket between the handlebars.

To fix the sentence with Strategy 4, you could revise like this:

While Grandma rides her Harley motorcycle, her toy poodle balances in a basket between the handlebars.

Grandma rides her Harley motorcycle as her toy poodle balances in a basket between the handlebars.

A good writer will analyze a problem sentence and then choose the best strategy to fix the error.

Subordinate Conjunctions
after although as as if as long as as soon as as though because before even if even though how if	in case in order that insofar as just as no matter how now that once provided that rather than since so that than	that though till unless until when whenever where whereas wherever whether while why

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