Comma Splices and Run-On Sentences

1. Comma Splices and Run-On Sentences • Comma Splice- two or more sentences joined together as one, separated by a comma • Run-On-two sentences written incorrectly as one • Compound sentence-two independent clauses separated by a comma and conjunction • FANBOYS-for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

2. Fixing these errors • Add a comma and a FANBOYS word (a conjunction) • Add a semi colon • Add a period • Change an independent clause to a dependent clause by adding a word like although, because, despite or while • Because we were required to read the novel, I actually enjoyed it. • Keep an eye out for verbs that end in –ing. When these are underlined in the ACT, it might be a fragment error hiding. • The monkey swinging in the tree.

3. Punctuation Rules • Commas • Separate introductory words from the main part of the sentence • Set off non-essential words or phrases • Separate two independent clauses joined by a conjunction (FANBOYS word) • Separate items in a series • Semi-Colons • Link two independent clauses NOT joined by a FANBOYS word • Use with: furthermore, however, in fact, indeed, moreover, nevertheless, therefore and thus • DO NOT USE with: although, despite, whereas, who, which, where, that • Dashes • Indicate break in thought • Set off parenthetical information from the main part of a sentence

4. Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement • anyone, anybody, everyone, everybody, someone, somebody, no one, and nobody are always singular • Either and neither are always singular • Collective nouns may be singular or plural depending on meaning in sentence • The team saluted its fans. • The members of the team saluted their fans. • Titles of singular entities (a book, a country), take the singular • Every or many takes the singular • “The number of” is singular • “A number of” is plural

5. What is a modifier?What are the rules for modifiers? • Do not confuse use of adjectives and adverbs • Make sure position does not create confusion • New students and parents should attend the meeting. • Should not cause ambiguity • Ten of the thirty students did not report minor problems. • Should be singular, even when adjective is actually a noun • The freshman class • Careful with misplaced modifiers • I know a person with a new car named George. • Commas can help you know what goes with what

6. Pronouns and their Cases

7. Avoiding Wordiness in Writing • Change passive voice to active voice • Use strong verbs • Avoid redundancy • Avoid exaggerating words • Get rid of filler/unnecessary phrases

8. Passive v. Active Voice • Passive voice is when you make the object of the sentence the subject of the sentence • Active voice: Germany invaded Poland. • Passive voice: Poland was invaded by Germany. • Passive voice is grammatically correct, but it often makes your writing wordy and dull

9. Strong Verbs When using verbs … • Use action verbs instead of forms of to be, especially coupled with the word “there” • Avoid stilted verbs –started to do something

10. When to add a comma • To separate independent clauses when joined by a conjunction • To set off introductory phrases • Separate items in a list • To set off non-essential information • With punctuation of dates and geographic information

11. Warm Up-MondayComma Abuse Rules • Don't use a comma to separate the subject from the verb. • Incorrect: An eighteen-year old in California, is now considered an adult. • Don't put a comma between the two verbs or verb phrases in a compound predicate. • Incorrect: We laid out our music and snacks, and began to study. • Don't put a comma between the two nouns, noun phrases, or noun clauses in a compound subject or compound object. • Incorrect (compound subject):The music teacher from your high school, and the football coach from mine are married. • Incorrect (compound object):Jeff told me that the job was still available, and that the manager wanted to interview me.

12. More Comma Abuse • Do not use commas to set off essential elements of the sentence, such as clauses beginning with that (relative clauses). That clauses after nouns are always essential. That clauses following a verb expressing mental action are always essential. • The book that I borrowed from you is excellent. • The apples that fell out of the basket are bruised. • Don't put a comma after the main clause when a dependent (subordinate) clause follows it (except for cases of extreme contrast). • Incorrect: She was late for class, because her alarm clock was broken. • Incorrect: The cat scratched at the door, while I was eating. • Correct: She was still quite upset, although she had won the Oscar.(This comma use is correct because it is an example of extreme contrast)