{"panels":[{"content":{"params":{"text":"

Do NOT join two complete sentences with a comma.<\/strong> This error is called a 'comma splice.' A comma alone is not strong enough to separate two complete sentences (also called independent clauses). A comma splice is a common error, but an error nonetheless!<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Example<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

WRONG<\/strong>: We went to the beach last summer, I learned to swim.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

A comma splice can be corrected three different ways:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n

1. Write two sentences<\/span><\/strong> - We went to the beach last summer. I learned to swim.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

2. Use a conjunction with the comma<\/strong><\/span> - We went to the beach last summer, and I learned to swim.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

3. Use a semicolon (:)<\/strong><\/span> - We went to the beach last summer; I learned to swim.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

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Selecting a correction method is a stylistic choice. Note that each option creates a different experience for the reader.<\/span><\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"65960f85-f2ea-4823-96e6-3a3de86cdbdb","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"The Comma Splice"},{"content":{"params":{"text":"
A sentence fragment is a group of words that can not stand alone as a sentence but is punctuated like a sentence<\/strong>. A sentence fragment is not a complete idea - it is also called a dependent clause because the group of words is dependent on more information to make sense. <\/span><\/p>\n\n
A sentence fragment is easy to spot in isolation, but we often miss sentence fragments when we are editing a complete paragraph. <\/span><\/p>\n\n
Example<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n
WRONG:<\/strong> We haven't been able to buy the textbook. Which is very expensive. We don't have enough money.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n
While you might be able to figure out what the writer is communicating, the writing is still grammatically incorrect. 'Which is very expensive' is a sentence fragment because it does not make sense on its own. It is a dependent clause.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Correct:<\/strong> We haven't been able to buy the textbook, which is expensive. We don't have enough money. <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n
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You might also make the stylistic choice to edit the sentence entirely: Because it is too expensive, we haven't been able to buy the textbook. We don't have enough money. (Yes, you can begin a sentence with 'because' if you attach the independent clause to a dependent clause).<\/span><\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"18fa2d14-9de0-48e8-9deb-86a99bb4b176","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Sentence Fragment"},{"content":{"params":{"text":"
Run-on sentences are sentences that go on and on and on.<\/strong> Run-on sentences might be punctuated correctly, but they are so long it is difficult for the reader to understand the main point. <\/span><\/p>\n\n
Remember: Write to express, not to impress.<\/strong><\/span> Good writing clearly conveys an idea to the reader. It does not try to show off or baffle them.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Example<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n
WRONG:<\/strong> Sometimes when a sentence gets revved up, it's hard for the writer to know when to stop because so many ideas are bubbling up to the surface, and all the ideas seem to relate to each other, and therefore seem appropriate to combine into one sentence, and the sentence starts to go on and on .... <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n
By the time the reader gets to the end of the sentence, they have forgotten the beginning. This is not a good way to communicate ideas clearly.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
CORRECT<\/strong>: Sometimes when a sentence gets revved up, it's hard for the writer to know when to stop. So many ideas are bubbling to the surface; all the ideas relate to each other. Therefore, it seems appropriate to combine them into one sentence. But it isn't.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n
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Divide ideas clearly into individual sentences<\/strong>. Run-on sentences most likely happen while writing a first draft. Edit carefully for run-on sentences when you are writing your second (and third) draft of an important piece of writing. Combining short and long (but not too long) sentences creates a rhythm to your writing.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"9390cb74-15c9-498d-b61f-4ac1fcd9fead","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Run-on Sentence"}],"hTag":"h2"}

Common Sentence Errors

Sherri Telenko