Some people get confused and think that the word splice means to separate. Like runons, comma splices can be confusing to the reader because of the way they incorrectly emphasize words and the way they distort the pace with which you want readers to read your sentences. The subject is a noun or pronoun that names the topic of the sentence. Adapted from the borzoi handbook for writers, 1993. Correcting runons and comma splices runon sentences and comma splices confuse readers by eliminating natural pauses and necessary words. I love going to the park on the weekends, it is really relaxing. Ask students to complete the worksheet avoiding comma splices. A runon sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are combined without correct punctuation. Exxaammppllee i need to buy eggs milk lettuce and bread. Think about all the bad results that will happen if you dont work.
A complete sentence has minimally two parts, a subject and a verb. A compound sentence is a sentence that has 2 independent clauses. Click on the title to read the details about a worksheet or to download the pdf. While we talk about comma practice worksheets, weve collected several variation of pictures to give you more ideas.
Use a comma before and, but, or, nor, for, so, or yet to join two independent clauses that form a compound sentence. Noottee usage of a comma to separate the second to last from the last item is optional. In the following exercise, indicate whether an item is a comma splice cs or is correct c. Worksheets are, run on sentences and comma splices work 1, fragments and run ons, grammar homework 1 run on sentences comma splices, comma splices run ons and fragments, fragments comma splices run ons, run on sentences comma splices and fragments, fix run on. At the back of the classroom, nina sat with her arms crossed, glaring at her teacher. This resource contains some interesting texts with punctuation errors, involving comma splices the use of a comma where a full stop is more appropriate, for students to correct. We went to bar harbor but did not take the ferry to nova scotia.
My three favorite foods are pasta pizza and ice cream. Add commas to the following sentences where needed. Displaying all worksheets related to comma splices. Exercise in the blanks provided, indicate whether the following sentences are correct c or contain a comma splice cs or a runon r0.
I need to call sally tom brad and kelly about the party. Comma splice answer keyteaching tips, this answer keytip sheet contains the answer key and teaching tips for both the primary comma splice worksheet and the supplemental exercise sheet. The music festival was a great success, the organisers made a lot of money. Comma splices and conjunctions when you write in english, you have to be careful with punctuation. I love watching movies i am a regular customer at blockbuster. Worksheet avoiding comma splices identify whether the following sentences, written in nonfiction prose, include a comma splice. Run on sentences and comma splices displaying all worksheets related to run on sentences and comma splices. It includes eight sentences for students to work with. The data are inconclusive, the researchers will repeat the experiment. A comma splice or comma fault is the use of a comma to join tw a word that connects or joins together words, phrases, clauses a clause that can form a complete sentence standing alone, hav. One way to fix a comma splice is to add a conjunction immediately after the comma. A runon or fused sentence is two independent clauses run or fused together with no punctuation.
In preparation for the quiz, lamia studied comma splices and fused sentences until she thought her brain would burst, finally, she put away her notes, convinced that she would remember the rules even on her death bed. An excellent practice worksheet to help students understand what a comma splice is and to practice correcting them. Find out with this grammar worksheet, all about commas and conjunctions. You cannot put two sentences together with only a comma, this is called a comma splice. The best way to avoid a comma splice is to put a full stop or a semi colon between the two sentences. The yoyo king demonstrated his new trick, the skateboard princess performed her new stunt, and the. Its hot outside, make sure you drink plenty of water.
A comma splice is permissible in a series of independent clauses three or more where the last two clauses are separated by and, but, or or. An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb, expresses a complete thought, and can be a sentence on its own. An independent clause is a group of words with a subject and verb that expresses a complete thought. Runons fused sentences comma splices the above are all names given to compound sentences that are not punctuated correctly. This handout defines various sentence structures, presents sample sentences, and provides strategies for correcting runons, comma splices, and fragments. Place commas wherever they are needed in the following sentences.
While a comma often denotes a pause, it may also clarify the meaning of words, as in coordinating adjectives. If the sentence consists of two or more independent clauses punctuated like either of the examples above, your sentence will need to be revised. By turning your runons and comma splices into compound sentences, you will greatly improve the readability of your writing. If you know how sentences are structured, then it is easy to understand how punctuation helps writers negotiate their expressions. First, practice identifying runons and comma splices.
Worksheets 2 and 3 provide 16 exercises each, with ample space for students to write out the answers in complete sentences. S3b editing comma splices, fused sentences revise the following passage to make all the comma splices and fused sentences into correctly punctuated sentences. If adding a conjunction doesnt seem to work, you can change the. Commas semicolons and colons worksheets free pdf ebook. Comma splices and fused sentences the writing center.
Such a phrase consisting of a subject and a verb with complete meaning is also called an independent clause. A comma splice is when two sentences are connected with a comma rather than a full stop. A comma splice is the use of a comma without a conjunction to join two independent clauses, and is one of the most common grammatical mistakes. Separate the two independent clauses into two sentences. A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses or complete sentences are joined by a comma. Fragments, runons, and comma splices identifying fragments, runons and comma splices. Worksheet 1 provides an explanation of comma splices, along with directions on correcting them. Photocopying for students or linking to materials here does not require my permission.
Practice activities are included to help build skills in sentence clarity and variety. Runons and comma splices in order to be complete, a sentence must have a subject and predicate that form an independent clause. First, read the last excerpt about how to create a positive attitude and stop procrastinating from the lane community college website. Join the independent clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction. Correcting comma splices punctuation worksheets author. I am not angry with you, but i am not happy with you, either. To splice means to join, so a comma splice could easily have been called a comma join, but that would have been too simple. Example also called the plague, the black death traveled from asia to the area around the. A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses groups of words that can stand alone as sentences are joined together by a comma. Run on sentences and comma splices lesson worksheets. Because of the amount of rain in the southern region of brazil, residents have been advised to prepare for flooding. Your child will see a few ways commas are overused, and then shell get to correct the sentences.
Comma splices a comma splice occurs when two independent clauses or complete sentences are joined by a comma. Comma splices and runon sentences comma splices and runons are two types of mechanical errors created by incorrectly joining independent clauses. This esl writing exercise introduces students to comma splices and how to fix them by properly using conjunctions such as and, but, and so. A comma splice consists of two or more independent clauses that follow one another and are incorrectly linked together only with a comma or commas. Students should write down any questions they wish to ask their partner. We tried to call you, but you didnt pick up the phone. Sentence fragments, runon sentences and comma splices. This sentence consists of two independent clauses separated by a comma. Maverick waves are the best waves to surf, surfng is exciting. Comma splices and runons comma splices and runon sentences are caused by punctuation errors and are corrected in similar ways.
Although this skill is introduced in 4th5th grade, students often may have trouble correcting comma splices into adulthood, therefore, practice is applicable at all grade levels. When a sentence does include a comma splice, suggest alternatives to the use of the comma or explain why the splice is acceptable. Lets use the above example to show how to fix comma splices. A comma may be used to separate a second clause which reverses a negative first clause. Combining clauses to avoid comma splices, runons, and. Im allergic to nuts but not peanuts, they are a legume. The worksheet can also be completed at home before class. Both fused sentences and comma splices can be revised in any of the four following ways. Understanding clauses a clause is comprised of at least one subject and one verb. Fix run on sentences worksheet 1 below are examples of fused sentences and comma splices. Runon sentences, comma splices, fragments when 2 or more simple sentences are joined together in the wrong way, the result is either a runon sentence subject verb subject verb or a comma splice subject verb, subject verb. Comma worksheets and activities ereading worksheets.
Therefore, they should be corrected in any type of writing, be it formal, informal, essays, etc. An independent clause is a complete, simple sentence, meaning that it contains a subject, a verb, and a complete thought. The comma worksheets below are free for you to print and use at home or in the classroom. With most comma splices, the conjunction youll want to add is probably and, but, or so. If you take two independent clauses and join them with a comma, you have a comma splice. That night the princess did not sleep, she danced the night away. These worksheets provide practice fixing comma splices. Consider the following runon sentence and the following options for. A comma splice is the use of a comma without a conjunction to join two independent clauses. Worksheets are comma splices, run on sentences and comma splices work 1, fragments comma splices run ons, comma splice answer keyteaching tips, grammar homework 1 run on sentences comma splices, run ons, fix run on sentences. Comma splices comma splicing happens when commas are used to separate two or more independent, but related, clauses ideas that could be complete sentences.
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