CRT Grammar Review
Comma Splices
Comma splices, sometimes called "run-on sentences" or "fused sentences," are a common problem for beginning (and even advanced) writers. Comma splices most often occur when the writer trys to add two sentences together by simply adding a comma. The problem is that the sentence does not work unless a semicolon is used or a coordinating conjunction. Another option is to make each clause into seperate sentences. Examples:
Incorrect: I saw David outside of class, he gave me a book.
Correct: I saw David outside of class; he gave me a book.
Incorrect: She told me to look outside, I didn't see anything.
Correct: She told me to look outside, but I didn't see anything.
Incorrect: I looked outside, the mailman was nowhere to be found.
Correct: I looked outside. The mailman was nowhere to be found.
Note from the examples that there is no single way to fix comma splices. Which solution is chosen depends on the rest of the paragraph surrounding the sentence, and what type of effect you want to create. For example, a series of short sentences might be irritating in an information paper, but creates a certain mood in a short story.