Run-on Sentences, Comma Splices
(1) What does a RUN-ON SENTENCE look like?
Emma forgot her umbrella she arrived to class soaked.
(2) Why is a RUN-ON SENTENCE problematic?
Multiple independent clauses (complete ideas) appear together without a link to indicate their relationship. In other words, TMI :-)
(3) How to fix a RUN-ON SENTENCE?
Emma forgot her umbrella; she arrived to class soaked.
(1) What does a COMMA SPLICE look like?
Emma forgot her umbrella, she arrived to class soaked.
(2) Why is a COMMA SPLICE problematic?
Only a comma connects multiple independent clauses (complete ideas) when a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS*) is necessary.
*FANBOYS = for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
(3) How to fix a COMMA SPLICE?
Emma forgot her umbrella, so she arrived to class soaked.
Law School Writing Center is located in room 128C of Wood Hall on the Law Campus.
MSC: 51
email legalwrt@lclark.edu
voice 503-768-6873
Writing Specialist
Hillary Gell
Teaching Fellow
Madyson Carpenter
Law School Writing Center
Lewis & Clark Law School
10101 S. Terwilliger Boulevard MSC 51
Portland OR 97219