The Run-On, The Comma Splice, The Fragment

RUN-ON

A run-on or fused sentence is two independent clauses which are not separated by any punctuation.

Run-on:   Wearing a seatbelt is not just a good idea it's the law.
Revision:  Wearing a seatbelt is not just a good idea; it's the law.

Even if one or both of the fused sentences contain internal punctuation, the sentence is still run-on.

COMMA SPLICE

A comma splice is the unjustifiable use of only a comma to combine two separate sentences. (One should use either a period, a semicolon, or a coordinating conjunction and a comma to separate the two statements.)

Comma splice:  Wearing a seatbelt is not just a good idea, it's the law.
Revision:          Wearing a seatbelt is not just a good idea; it's the law.

Both run-on sentences and comma splices may be corrected in any of the following ways:

Run-on:            Tevon won the award he had the highest score.
Comma splice:  Tevon won the award, he had the highest score.

1. Separate the sentences with a period.
   • Tevon won the award. He had the highest score.
2. Separate the sentences with a comma and a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so).
   • Tevon won the award, for he had the highest score.
3. Separate the sentences with a semicolon.
   • Tevon won the award; he had the highest score.

   If a conjunctive adverb like therefore, however, then, or consequently separates the two sentences, use a semicolon also.

   • I was unwilling to testify; however, I did it anyway.
4. Separate the sentences with a subordinating conjunction such as although, because, since,or if.
   • Tevon won the award because he had the highest score.

SENTENCE FRAGMENT

A fragment is an incomplete construction which may or may not have a subject and a verb. Specifically, a fragment is a group of words pretending to be a sentence.

Fragment:   Traffic was stalled for ten miles on the freeway. Because repairs were being made on potholes.
Revision:     Traffic was stalled for ten miles on the freeway because repairs were being made on potholes.

Fragment:   It was an excellent movie; one that was nominated for an Oscar.
Fragment:   It was an excellent movie. One that was nominated for an Oscar.
Revision:     It was an excellent movie, one that was nominated for an Oscar.

Fragment:   Prospectors invaded the newly discovered territory. Some in wagons, some on horseback, and a few in heavily laden canoes.
Fragment:   Prospectors invaded the newly discovered territory; some in wagons, some on horseback, and a few in heavily laden canoes.
Revision:     Prospectors invaded the newly discovered territory, some in wagons, some on horseback, and a few in heavily laden canoes.