{"id":355,"date":"2014-07-25T20:09:58","date_gmt":"2014-07-25T20:09:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/writershandbook\/?post_type=chapter&p=355"},"modified":"2017-01-02T20:03:08","modified_gmt":"2017-01-02T20:03:08","slug":"18-3-eliminating-comma-splices-and-fused-sentences","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/chapter\/18-3-eliminating-comma-splices-and-fused-sentences\/","title":{"raw":"18.3 Eliminating Comma Splices and Fused Sentences","rendered":"18.3 Eliminating Comma Splices and Fused Sentences"},"content":{"raw":" \r\n
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18.3<\/span> Eliminating Comma Splices and Fused Sentences<\/h2>\r\n
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Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\n
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  1. Use commas correctly in compound sentences.<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Use semicolons correctly in compound sentences.<\/li>\r\n \t
  3. Recognize comma splices and fused sentences.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\nTwo of the most common problems people have with compound sentences are comma splices<\/span><\/span> and fused sentences<\/span><\/span>. The key to understanding these problems is to recognize the possible compound sentence formats:\r\n
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    1. two independent clauses separated with a comma and coordinating conjunction (and<\/em>, but<\/em>, so<\/em>, for<\/em>, nor<\/em>, or<\/em>, yet<\/em>);<\/li>\r\n \t
    2. two independent clauses separated with a semicolon by itself;<\/li>\r\n \t
    3. two independent clauses separated with a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb<\/span><\/span> (however<\/em>, therefore<\/em>, consequently<\/em>, moreover<\/em>, etc.), used to clarify a specific logical relationship between the two independent clauses.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n
      \r\n\r\nFigure 18.1<\/span>\r\n\r\n\"\"<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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      Understanding and Avoiding Comma Splices<\/h2>\r\nTwo different situations can result in comma splices.\r\n
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      Examples<\/h3>\r\nProblem:<\/strong> A comma joins independent clauses instead of the clauses being joined by a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction.\r\n\r\nExample:<\/strong> Her name was Jean Louise Finch,<\/strong> she wanted everyone to call her \u201cScout.\u201d\r\n\r\nCorrection:<\/strong> Her name was Jean Louise Finch, but<\/strong> she wanted everyone to call her \u201cScout.\u201d\r\n\r\nProblem:<\/strong> A comma joins two independent clauses when a semicolon should be used.\r\n\r\nExample:<\/strong> Atticus didn\u2019t want Scout to fight,<\/strong> however, she could not ignore injustices.\r\n\r\nCorrection:<\/strong> Atticus didn\u2019t want Scout to fight;<\/strong> however, she could not ignore injustices.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n \r\n
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      Understanding and Avoiding Fused Sentences<\/h2>\r\nA fused sentence is also called a run-on sentence and occurs when two independent clauses are joined without any punctuation.\r\n
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      Example<\/h3>\r\nMr. Cunningham is very poor he cannot pay Atticus for legal services.\r\n\r\nCorrection option 1:<\/strong> Add a coordinating conjunction and a comma: Mr. Cunningham is very poor, so<\/strong> he cannot pay Atticus for legal services.\r\n\r\nCorrection option 2:<\/strong> Place the independent clauses into two separate sentences: Mr. Cunningham is very poor. H<\/strong>e cannot pay Atticus for legal services.\r\n\r\nCorrection option 3:<\/strong> Place a semicolon between the two clauses: Mr. Cunningham is very poor;<\/strong> he cannot pay Atticus for legal services.\r\n\r\nCorrection option 4:<\/strong> Place a semicolon between the two clauses, and use a conjunctive adverb for further clarification: Mr. Cunningham is very poor; therefore,<\/strong> he cannot pay Atticus for his legal services.\r\n\r\nCorrection option #5:<\/strong> Turn one of the independent clauses into a dependent clause: Mr. Cunningham cannot pay Atticus for his legal services because<\/strong> he is very poor.\r\n\r\nOR\r\n\r\nBecause<\/strong> he is very poor, Mr. Cunningham cannot pay Atticus for his legal services.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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      Key Takeaways<\/h3>\r\n