Comma Splices
What is a comma splice?
A comma splice happens when you join two complete sentences together with only a comma.
A sentence fragment has a missing subject or a missing verb.
What is a run on sentence?
A run-on sentence has two or more clauses that should stand alone as sentences, but that are joined together incorrectly.
Is this a comma splice?
The sun was hot, I started sweating.
Yes! It needs a conjunction, a semi-colon, or a period.
The sun was hot, so I started sweating.
The sun was hot; I started seating.
The sun was hot. I started sweating.
Is this a sentence fragment?
Went to the store.
Yes; it is missing a subject.
Example: I went to the store.
Is this a run on sentence?
I forgot my backpack, so I went home.
No.
It has a comma and a conjunction word.
Is this a comma splice?
I ran, I walked, and I sat.
No. In a list of three, you only need a conjunction after the second comma.
Is this a sentence fragment?
I wrote.
No. It has a subject and a verb.
Is this a run on sentence?
Sometimes, I get home early enough to cook dinner, but there are other days on which I'm too tired and have to make a sandwich.
No. It has commas to separate the two independent clauses, and the last clause is dependent.
Correct the following sentence:
I wanted to see the sunrise, I slept in.
I wanted to see the sunrise, but I slept in.
You could use a semi-colon or a period, but it wouldn't show the contrast in your sentence.
Correct the following sentence.
The most famous musician in the world
This sentence needs a verb.
Example: The most famous musician in the world owns ten mansions.
Correct the following sentence.
I stayed up all night doing my homework the sun was coming up by the time I finished.
It needs a comma and a conjunction, a semi-colon, or a period.