Other Punctuation Issues
Comma splices and run-on sentences often confuse a reader.
Comma Splices
A comma splice is a grammatical error that occurs when a comma is used to incorrectly combine two independent clauses into a single sentence.
Here is an example of a comma splice.
- Incorrect: I climbed up the mountain, the view at the top was breathtaking.
A comma splice can be fixed by separating the two independent clauses into two sentences.
- Correct: I climbed up the mountain. The view at the top was breathtaking.
A comma splice can be fixed by separating the two independent clauses with a semicolon.
- Correct: I climbed up the mountain; the view at the top was breathtaking.
A comma splice can be fixed by separating the two independent clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
- Correct: I climbed up the mountain, and the view at the top was breathtaking.
Run-on Sentences
A run-on sentence is a grammatical error that occurs when punctuation is missing at the end of a sentence, causing it to fuse with the sentence that comes after it.
Here is an example of a run-on sentence.
- Incorrect: I climbed up the mountain the view at the top was breathtaking.
A run-on sentence can be fixed by separating the two independent clauses into two sentences.
- Correct: I climbed up the mountain. The view at the top was breathtaking.
A run-on sentence can be fixed by separating the two independent clauses with a semicolon.
- Correct: I climbed up the mountain; the view at the top was breathtaking.
A run-on sentence can be fixed by separating the two independent clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
- Correct: I climbed up the mountain, and the view at the top was breathtaking.
