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Comma Splices, Fused Sentences, Transitions
Ways to Correct Comma Splices and Fused Sentences:
1) Insert a period between the independent clauses:
Comma splice: Federal funding has become
scarce, the money is going elsewhere. Fused sentence: Federal funding has become
scarce the money is going elsewhere. Correct: Federal funding has become scarce.
The money is going elsewhere.
2) Insert a semicolon between the independent clauses.
Only use a semi- colon, rather than a period, when the
two sentences are closely related in subject:
Comma splice: Soccer is the most popular
children's sport, it replaced baseball four years ago. Fused sentence: Soccer is the most popular
children's sport it replaced baseball four years ago. Correct: Soccer is the most popular children's
sport; it replaced baseball four years ago.
3) Use a comma together with a coordinating conjunction:
Comma splice: Sue and John got married
four years ago, they are expecting their first child. Fused sentence: Sue and John got married
four years ago they are expecting their first child. Correct: Sue and John got married four years
ago, and they are expecting their first child.
4) Revise one independent clause into a dependent clause:
There are two ways to create dependent clauses. One is
using a subordinating conjunction (because, although, if,
when), and the other is by using a relative pronoun (who,
whose, whom, which, that).
a) To use a subordinating conjunction, place the conjunction
before the clause to be made dependent, and separate the
two clauses with a comma:
Comma splice: John hadn't ever seen the
college before, he knew he wanted to go there anyway. Fused sentence: John hadn't ever seen
the college before he knew he wanted to go there anyway. Correct: Although John hadn't ever seen
the college before, he knew he wanted to go there anyway.
b) To use a relative pronoun, place the pronoun before
the clause to be made dependent:
Comma splice: I'll always remember the
professor, he taught me calculus. Fused sentence: I'll always remember the
professor he taught me calculus. Correct: I'll always remember the professor
who taught me calculus.