Avoid Run-On Sentences and Comma Splices

What is a comma splice?

• When two or more independent clauses are inappropriately joined by a comma
• When two or more independent clauses are connected with a comma and a conjunction
• When two or more independent clauses are joined together with a period

Fix this:
Maddie's cell phone rang in class the teacher began to yell at everyone.

• class, and the teacher
• class, the teacher
• NO change needed

FIX this:
My favorite pie is pumpkin apple is a close second, though.

• pumpkin, apple
• pumpkin, but apple
• NO change needed

What type is this:
The roof started to cave in on the old cottage the witch was angry as water poured on her head.

• run-on
• comma splice
• simple sentence

What is a run-on?

• When two or more independent clauses are in one sentences  with NO punctuation
• When two or more sentences are connected with a comma and a conjunction
• When a sentence is missing a subject, verb, or complete thought

Fix this:
Harold is charismatic and funny, but he has a temper.

• funny, he (delete the word "but")
• funny he (delete the word "but")
• NO change needed. 

Fix this:
The dog barked the kitten meowed.

• barked, the kitten
• barked, and the kitten
• NO change needed. 

Fix this:
The clown terrified all of the children at the birthday party, so he wiped all his make-up off in the bathroom.

• No change needed
• party, he (delete the word "so")
• party; so

Fix this:
Marla's cookies are so delicious we should try to sell them.

• Because Marla's cookies are so delicious, we should try to sell them.
• NO change needed. 

TOUGH ONE
Fix this:
Kurt's cell phone rang during the test because of the noise, his teacher was angry.

• Kurt's cell phone rang during the test. Because of the noise, his teacher was angry.
• Make no change
• Kurt's cell phone rang during the test, because of the noise, his teacher was angry.