Week 6

RUN-TOGETHER SENTENCES What is a run-together sentence? A run-together sentence is a sentence in which two independent clauses are written together without any punctuation to separate them as if they were a single sentence.

How can you recognize run-together sentences? Look at your sentence and ask yourself, "Are there two main ideas here that could each stand alone as sentences without any punctuation in between them?"

How can you correct run-together sentences? There are several ways to correct run-together sentences.

(1) Separate the clauses into two sentences with a period.

(2) Separate the sentences with a semicolon or with a semicolon and conjunctive adverb.

(3) Separate the sentences and link them with a comma and a coordinating conjunction.

(4) Rewrite the sentences so that one clause is subordinate to the other.

(5) Rewrite the clauses to put the information into one complete sentence.

Once you've recognized a sentence as being run-together, ask yourself, "Does this make more sense as two separate sentences, or would it be better to put the information together in one sentence?"

If you decide to break your run-together sentence into two separate sentences, simply put a period where one idea ends and the next idea begins.

Run-together: I asked the guard for directions she told me the time instead.

Run-together: Most people don't realize the difficulties of working in a preschool they've never tried to manage a room full of three-year-olds.

Correct: I asked the guard for directions. She told me the time instead.

Correct: Most people don't realize the difficulties of working in a preschool. They've never tried to manage a room full of three-year-olds.

But maybe you think the ideas really belong in one sentence. Then you can use the conjunctions and, or, but, for, not, yet, so to connect them.

Correct: I asked the guard for directions, but she told me the time instead.

Correct: Most people don't realize the difficulties of working in a preschool, for they've never tried to manage a room full of three-year-olds.

If you think the ideas really belong in one sentence, you can use subordinating conjunctions although, because, when, while, until, etc. to connect them.

Correct: Although I asked the guard for directions, she told me the time instead.

Correct: Most people don't realize the difficulties of working in a preschool because they've never tried to manage a room full of three-year-olds.

If you think the ideas make sense without a connecting word, you might want to join them with only a semicolon (;) or you might join them with a semicolon and conjunctive adverb.

Correct: I asked the guard for directions; however, she told me the time instead.

Correct: Most people don't realize the difficulties of working in a preschool; they've never tried to manage a room full of three-year-olds.

You might want to smooth the independent clauses into one sentence.

Run-together: I went to my cousin's party it was fun.

Correct: My cousin's party was fun

RUN-TOGETHER SENTENCES—EXERCISE


YOUR NAME:
YOUR EMAIL:
TODAY'S DATE:

Rewrite these sentences to eliminate punctuation problems that create run-together sentences.

1. Sarah wanted to review her French she bought conversational books and tapes.

2. Arctic weather blew into the Rockies PG&E rerouted natural gas from the Aptos area Cabrillo students taking final exams had frozen fingers.

3. People are more serious about what they eat when they dine out they look hard at their wallets they want to get their money's worth.

4. It is hard to choose a camera there are many good ones for sale.

5. The university hopes to minimize the effects of budget cuts however classes are being cut.

6. Pam heard airfares were slashed she booked a flight to Paris for the holidays.

7. I am not familiar with that teacher as a matter of fact I have never heard of him before.

COMMA SPLICES What is a comma splice? A comma splice is the mistake of joining two independent clauses (complete sentences) with only a comma.

We are discussing the problem of run-together sentences and comma splices in the same group because the underlying error in each problem is the same: the failure to properly signal the end of an independent clause.

The comma splice error often occurs when writers use only a comma before conjunctive adverbs or transitional expressions that function as conjunctive adverbs (e.g. accordingly, also, as a result, consequently, finally, first, for example, however, in fact, in other words, instead, moreover, nevertheless, on the other hand, still, then, therefore, thus).

The writer is treating the conjunctive adverbs as if they were coordinating conjunctions that can be used to link independent clauses.

The following are examples of comma splices:

I have never won a dime playing the lottery, nevertheless every week I spend ten dollars on tickets.

Tim says I am stupid to buy lottery tickets, however he gambles in Las Vegas five times a year.

How can you fix comma splices? Comma splices may be corrected in several ways. Remember, not all of the methods of correction are equally effective for every comma splice. (1) Substitute a period for the comma to create two separate sentences. (2) Include a coordinating conjunction after the comma. (3) Use a subordinating conjunction to link the independent clauses. (4) Change the comma to a semicolon. (5) Use a semicolon with a conjunctive adverb to show the relationship between the ideas in the two clauses.

EXERCISE

Rewrite the sentences below to eliminate comma splices.

1. Put the dishes in the cupboard, they're dry now.

2. Carlos asked Yvonne for a date, she turned him down.

3. Playing in a band can be fun, it keeps me busy.

4. My dog went to obedience school, he still won't sit on command.

5. Bette loves to act, she's in two plays this year.

6. I hope Bob won't be angry, I didn't send the packages on time.

7. Please take that trip with me, I really want you to travel more.

MORE COMMAS

Rewrite and insert commas in the following sentences to help the reader avoid misreading (misunderstanding) the writer's meaning.

1. After we finished the appetizers dinner was served.

2. After we finished dinner was served.

3. After we finished dinner we went for a walk.

4. As the huge helicopter approached the house vibrated with the throbbing rotors.

5. As the huge helicopter approached the house the children ran outside to watch it.

6. As we left the old woman began to weep quietly and smooth the folds of her skirt over her lap.

7. When the street collapsed the value of our property plummeted with it.

8. Whatever you do do as well as you can.

9. Because we try our teachers are patient with our errors.

10. Before we left Morley's grandfather played "It's a Long Way to Tipperary" on his spoons.

11. A few months before Sarah had met Jonathan at KPFA's broadcasting studios.

12. Hard as it is for many of us to believe the drought may really be ending.

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