Run-on Sentences, Comma Splices
(1) What does a RUN-ON SENTENCE look like?
Emma forgot her umbrella she arrived to class soaked.
(2) Why is a RUN-ON SENTENCE problematic?
Multiple independent clauses (complete ideas) appear together without a link to indicate their relationship. In other words, TMI :-)
(3) How to fix a RUN-ON SENTENCE?
Emma forgot her umbrella; she arrived to class soaked.
(1) What does a COMMA SPLICE look like?
Emma forgot her umbrella, she arrived to class soaked.
(2) Why is a COMMA SPLICE problematic?
Only a comma connects multiple independent clauses (complete ideas) when a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS*) is necessary.
*FANBOYS = for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
(3) How to fix a COMMA SPLICE?
Emma forgot her umbrella, so she arrived to class soaked.
Law School Writing Center is located in room 212A (We’ve moved!) of Wood Hall on the Law Campus.
MSC: 51
email legalwrt@lclark.edu
voice 503-768-6873
Writing Specialist
Hillary Gell
Teaching Fellow
Madeline Masaryk
Online appointment scheduling system for the Writing Center
Law School Writing Center
Lewis & Clark Law School
10101 S. Terwilliger Boulevard MSC 51
Portland OR 97219