Recognizing comma splices

1. Recognizing comma splices

2. Independent clauses When we have a subject, a verb and a complete thought, we have a sentence. (This is also known as an independent clause – independent because it can stand alone)

3. Independent clauses • We can add muscle to our writing and build more complex sentences by joining two independent clauses.

4. Comma splice Writers often recognize two independent clauses, but they separate them only with a comma. A comma is never enough! The result is a comma splice

5. Comma splice People say that being a stay-at-home mom or dad is an important job, their actions tell a different story.

6. Comma splice People say that being a stay-at-home mom or dad is an important job, their actions tell a different story.

7. Comma splice There are four solutions: 1. Replace the comma with a semicolon People say that being a stay-at-home mom or dad is an important job; their actions tell a different story.

8. Comma splice There are four solutions: 2. Make two separate sentences, replacing the comma with a period and capitalizing the next word People say that being a stay-at-home mom or dad is an important job. Their actions tell a different story.

9. Comma splice There are four solutions: 3. Add a subordinating conjunction to make one of the clauses dependent.

10. Comma splice There are four solutions: 3. Add a subordinating conjunction to make one of the clauses dependent. Although If When As Once Where Because Since Whereas Before Unless Whether Even though Until While

11. Comma splice There are four solutions: 3. Add a subordinating conjunction to make one of the clauses dependent. People say that being a stay-at-home mom or dad is an important job although their actions tell a different story.

12. Comma splice There are four solutions: 4. Keep the comma and add a coordinating conjunction. But first . . . what’s a coordinating conjunction?

13. There are only sevencoordinating conjunctions • For • And • Nor • But • Or • Yet • So

14. Remember FANBOYS • For • And • Nor • But • Or • Yet • So

15. Remember FANBOYS • For (because) • And (in addition to) • Nor (not either) • But (however) • Or (indicates a choice) • Yet (although) • So (therefore)

16. Comma splice There are four solutions: 4. Keeping the comma, but adding a FANBOYS People say that being a stay-at-home mom or dad is an important job, buttheir actions tell a different story.

17. Examples: Comma splice The first day of school is always a forced routine, you don’t want to go but you’re forced into it.

18. Examples: Comma splice The first day of school is always a forced routine, you don’t want to go but you’re forced into it. My father then refused to have anything to do with my Quinceañera, he said he would not be present for either event.

19. Examples: Comma splice When I looked at the test it was really hard, there were words that were ten letters long.

20. Examples: Comma splice When I looked at the test it was really hard, there were words that were ten letters long. Procrastination is a dangerous thing, it can cause many problems.

21. For more practice … Go to www.chompchomp.com Click on Exercises Try 2-5