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Run-On Sentences.
Commas usually function
within sentences to separate elements.
Leaving out needed comm=
as or
inserting needless ones can confuse the reader. Search your English Grammar
text to learn of the comma and its many uses. Come see me and I will recomm=
end
a starting point.
If I have written a
circled-number on your paper, read the following rules carefully:
Use a comma and a
coordinating conjunction between two main clauses (independent clauses) of a
sentence.
You have written a run-on sentence. This occurs when=
two independent clauses are joined wi=
thout
the necessary punctuation or connecting word. Fused sentences and com=
ma Splices
and are two kinds of run-on sentences.
1.1. &n=
bsp; =
; &n=
bsp;
A fused sentence=
is an error that occur=
s when
two independent clauses are joined with no punctuation.
Fused Sentences: John Steinbeck created the character of Lennie
Small and he also created Tom Joad.
Our foreign policy is
not well defined it confuses many countries.
The ship was<=
/u>
huge its mast stood eighty feet high.
1.2. &n=
bsp; =
; &n=
bsp;
A comma splice is=
an
error that occurs when two independent clauses are joined with just a comma=
.
Charles Dickens created the character of Mr. Micawber, he also =
created
Uriah Heep.
They believe you hav=
e good
ideas, the conference committee should use several of them.
1.2.1. Correct Comma Splices in=
one
of the following ways
Make separate sentences.
The ship was<=
/u>
huge. Its mast stood eighty feet high.
Insert a coordinating conjunction.
The ship was<=
/u>
huge, and its mast stood eighty feet high.
Use a semicolon.
The ship was<=
/u>
huge; its mast stood eighty feet high.
Subordinate one clause.
Even though the pages are torn, I can read the book.
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Comma Usage<=
span
style=3D'font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white'>
2.1. &n=
bsp; =
; &n=
bsp;
Use a comma between consecutive adjectives where the comma is =
used
instead of and.
Mary hated the dark, gloomy office.
2.2. &n=
bsp; =
; &n=
bsp;
Use a comma between to set off parenthetical information.
Mr. Walker
Jane Gates
2.3. &n=
bsp; =
; &n=
bsp;
Use a comma between to set off the year if it follows the month
and day.
On
Mr. Jackson<=
span
style=3D'font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white'> was promoted in
January 1993 to director of sales.
Omit the comma when onl=
y the
month and year are given.
2.4. &n=
bsp; =
; &n=
bsp;
Use a comma to set off the name of anyone you are addressing
directly.
Let’s end =
this
report, Angela, with the budget results.
2.5. &n=
bsp; =
; &n=
bsp;
Nonrestrictive Clauses interrupt a sentence with extra information. The clause must =
end
and begin with a comma. Use this test to see if you have written a
non-restrictive clause:
Read the sentence witho=
ut the
restrictive clause. If the sentence makes sense without the words, t=
he
words are nonrestrictive; the information
is not necessary for the sentence to make sense; it does not =
restrict
the meaning of the sentence
In the following exampl=
es,
the nonrestrictive element is
in italics. Note the comma placement. Read aloud the sentence and the
punctuation.
The company, =
which
is located in Texas, has a good reputation.
Elizabeth Blackwell was the first w=
oman
to graduate from an American medical school, in 1849.
Blackwell
Always place commas before and after nonrestrictive
2.6. &n=
bsp; =
; &n=
bsp;
Restrictive Clauses limit or identify; without them, the sentence is meaningless.=
[Restrictive Clauses] are not set off=
by
any punctuation.
If the sentence loos=
es
its meaning without the words, the words are restrictive; it does
restrict the meaning of the sentence. No commas are necessary
In the following senten=
ce,
out of the group of girls, certain ones are selected, distinguished. Girls,=
in
this sentence, are then restricted<=
/i> to
mean only “certain ones.” The [restrictive
clause] is essential to the meaning of the sentence.
This is the Ford my sister wants to own.
These are the girls who (or that) deserve promotion.
Mother found the book which you lost, we refer to a part=
icular
book, which is identified by the adjective clause which you lost.
If we toss out a statem=
ent
containing only the principal clause Mother
found the book, someone is certain to ask which book, and the identifying element must then be added. Obs=
erve
the restrictive meaning in the following sentences:
This is the house that was sold
(One house is singled o=
ut in
a row or group of houses).
These are the citizen=
s who deserve the respect of their neigh=
bors.
(certain persons are ch=
osen
out of all citizens)
This is the room where the tragedy occurred
(One room is distinguis=
hed
among all the rooms of the house).
Restrictive Elements limit the word referred=
to: the
element cannot be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence or
leaving it incomplete. Because it is essential, a restrictive element <=
u>is
not set off with commas. =
The company r=
ewards
employees who work hard.
Take care not to set off
Restrictive Appositives. Like other restrictive elements, they limit or def=
ine
the word to which they refer.
The meaning remains in =
tact.
Note the example in this restrictive appositive.
The art critic <=
i>Sarah
Wittig says that Morison’s work “stands radiantly on=
its
own as an American epic.”
By removing the restric=
tive
appositive (Sarah Wittig) the
meaning of the sentence is altered because we don’t know who “t=
he
critic” is.
2.7. &n=
bsp; =
; &n=
bsp;
Use a comma set off Coordinate adjectives.
2.7.1. =
&nb=
sp;
Insert a comma between all elements of a series (words, phrases, or clauses) of
three or more items of equal importance.&n=
bsp;
Use a comma between all=
the
items in a series and place a comma before the “and” preceding =
the
last item.
Today we ate<=
/u>
fruit, meat, and vegetables.
New job descriptions we=
re
written for clerks, word processors, and administrative assistants.
He hit the ball, droppe=
d the
bat, and ran to first base.
We purchased paper clip=
s,
printer ribbons, paper, pencils, and pens.
The comma before the
"and" is unnecessary if you are an experienced writer; however, if
you do not use this comma (especially when the list is complex or lengthy),
these last two items in the list will try to glom together (like macaroni a=
nd
cheese).
We purchased paper
clips, printer ribbons, paper, pencils and pens.
2.8. &n=
bsp; =
; &n=
bsp;
Use a comma between two or more adjectives that equally
modify the same word.
2.8.1. =
&nb=
sp;
Use a comma to separate the adjectives.
Use this trick: Read the
sentence aloud and place “and” or “but” where you t=
hink
the comma would go; if the sentence makes sense, you may replace them with a
comma.
This is the: That tall,
distinguished, good looking fellow" rule
(as opposed to "the
little old lady")
"He is a
tall and distinguished fellow&=
quot;
"I live<=
/u> in
a very old and run-down house.=
"
You would not say:
"She is<=
/u> a
little and old lady," or "I live in a little and pu=
rple
house."
You would write:=
"He is a
tall, distinguished man" and
"I live in a very old, run-down house."
2.9. &n=
bsp; =
; &n=
bsp;
Use a comma betw=
een a
Phrase and a Clause.
Faulty: Increasing rapidly; computer crime poses a
challenge for government, financial, and military agencies.
Revised: Increasing rapidly, computer crime poses a
challenge for government, financial, and military agencies.
2.10. An Introductory element must be set off with a comma .
Here’s a trick: read the sentence without the introductory element.
If it makes sense witho=
ut it,
then you do not need these words for your sentence.
If the sentence meaning
changes or makes no sense without introductory element, the comma can be
omitted.
When in doubt, include =
the
comma.
These sentences contain=
Subordinate Clauses.
(J A subordinate clause is an incomplete thought; it doesn’=
;t
make sense by itself)
Even when identical twi=
ns are
raised apart,
they grow up very like each other.
Before we can reach our goal, we need additional revenue.<= o:p>
2.11. Use a comma to set off Verbal or Verbal Phrase: (J A verbal is a noun act=
ing
like a verb)
Explaining the similari=
ty, some researchers claim
that one’s genes are one’s destiny.
Concerned
Before we can reach our=
goal,
we need additional revenue.
2.12. Use a comma to set off a Prepositional Phrase: (=
J begins with a preposit=
ion
and ends with a noun)
In a debate that has la=
sted
centuries, scientists
use identical twins to argue for or against genetic destiny.
2.13. You need a Transitional or Parenthetical Expression.
Use them to form links
between ideas with words like however, moreover, thus, for example, for
instance, and of course. Place a comma before and after t=
hem.
Of course
For instance, an infected person<=
/u> covers
his mouth to cough.
Few people wo=
uld
know, or even guess, the most celebrated holiday on earth.
The holiday i=
s,
surprisingly, New Year’s Day.
2.14. An appositive is a noun or noun substitute that renames another noun just
before it and needs commas to offset them. Many are nonrestrictive.
Toni Morison’s fi=
fth novel,
Beloved, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1988.
2.15. With Direct Quotations
2.15.1. =
&nb=
sp;
In most cases, use commas to set off a direct quotation from t=
he identifying tag—the phrase =
that
identifies the speaker (he said, she
answered).
Emerson said to Whitman,
“I greet you at the beginning of a great career.”=
“I gree=
t
you at the beginning of a great career,” Emerson said to Whitman.
“I gree=
t
you,” Emerson said to Whitman, “at the beginning of a great
career.”
2.15.1.1.
=
When the identifying tag comes between two complete sentences,
however, the tag is introduced by a comma but followed by a period.
“Winning <=
u>isn’t
everything,” Vince Lombardi said. “It’s the only
thing.”
2.16. For quotations of more than four lines:
“Indent an additi=
onal
five spaces on each side of the quote. So the quote stands out in the middl=
e of
the paper. Just like the quote you are reading now.”
2.17. Use quotation marks to convey special emphasis of words or to
set-off terms being defined.
When possible, print th=
e special emphasis word in italics.
Otherwise, place the word or words within quote marks.
The word tintinnabulation, meaning the ring=
ing
sound of bells, was used by Poe in his poem “The Bells.”=
2.17.1. =
&nb=
sp;
Use single quotation marks to enclose a quotation within a
quotation.
Claire noted,
“Liberace always said, ‘I cried all the way to the
bank.’”
2.18. Use a comma with tag questions, words of direct address and mi=
ld
interjections.
Yes, the editorial <=
u>did
have a fine point.
Jones should be allowed to
vote, should he not?
With all due respect, <=
i>sir,
I will not do that.
Well, you will=
never
know who did it.
2.19. =
; &n=
bsp; =
;
Use a comma with phrases expressing contrast.
The essay nee=
ds
less wit, more pith.
The substance, <=
i>not
the style, is important.
2.20. Absolute phrases modify a whole main clause rather than any word in the clause,
and usually consist of at least a participle (such as done or hav=
ing
torn) and its subject (a noun or pronoun).
Absolute phrases can oc=
cur at
almost any point in the sentence, and a comma or commas always set them off.
Domestic recycling havi=
ng
succeeded,
the city now wants to extend the program to businesses.
Their toes tapping, they watched the auditions.
His fear increasing, he waited to enter the haunted house.
Many soldiers were lost in Southeast Asia, their bodies n=
ever recovered.
2.21. You need a Coordinating conjunction or a comma to separ=
ate
your two independent clauses. You have written a run-on sentence. (See #1)<=
u>
The independent clause will have a subject and a verb=
and
stand alone as a complete sentence; it makes sense by itself.
The coordinating conjunction joins the two equally important independent clauses, and usually =
comes
in the middle of a sentence.
It usually follows a co=
mma
(unless both clauses are very short).
The seven coordinating
conjunctions are: and, but, o=
r,
nor, for, so, and yet<=
/span>.
Note these examples:=
In the fall the war<=
/u> was
always there, but we
It was raining, =
so
I took my umbrella.
Note that each clause is
independent and makes sense by itself; each has its own subject and =
verb.
Conjunction Function =
&nb=
sp; =
E=
xample
and<=
span
style=3D'font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white'> joins two similar ideas
together He
lives in England, and he studi=
es at
Oxford.
but<=
span
style=3D'font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white'> joins two
contrasting ideas &=
nbsp; John
is Canadian, but Sally is Engl=
ish.
or<=
/span> joins two
alternative ideas &=
nbsp; I
could cook some supper, or we =
could order
a pizza.
so=
shows that the
second idea &=
nbsp; She
was sick, so she went to the d=
octor.
=
is
the result of the first
Memorize BOYSFAN and you will always remember the coordinating conjunctions:
BOYSFAN
but, or,
yet, so, for, and, or nor
2.22. Avoid confusion (your teacher’s escape rule).
2.23. Never use only one comma bet=
ween a
subject and its verb.
Believing
(no comma here, even th=
ough
one might well pause)
In some sentences, w=
ords
may run together in unintended and confusing ways unless a comma separa=
tes
them.
Note the confusion in t=
he
following sentences:
Soon after the business
closed its doors.
To Mr. Jones who has a =
good
name.
Those who can sprint the
final lap.
The sentences seem
incomplete. The comma tells readers to pause, preventing confusion.
2.24. Do not separate a pair of words, phrases, or subordinate claus=
es
joined by and, or, or nor.
Asthmatics
2.25. Don’t use a comma after and, but, although, because, =
or
another conjunction.
Smog is dangerous an=
d,
sometimes even fatal.
2.26. Do not set off restrictive elements.
Even people, =
who
are healthy, should be careful.
2.27. Do not set off a series.
Cars<=
span
style=3D'font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white'>, factories, and=
even bakeries, contribute to s=
mog.
2.28. Do not set off an indirect quotation or a single word that
isn’t a nonrestrictive appositive.
Experts say, that the
pollutant, ozone, is especially damaging.
2.29. Use a comma before a Dependent Clause at the end of a sentence=
.
Commas are generally no=
t used
before a dependent clause that falls at the end of a sentence.
Faulty: Jane Addams founded Hull House, because she wa=
nted
to help Chicago’s poor.
Revised: Jane Addams founded Hull House because she wan=
ted
to help Chicago’s poor.
2.30. Between a Dependent and
Independent Clause, use a c=
omma.
Faulty: Because new drugs can now suppress the body’s immune
reaction; fewer organ transplants are rejected by the body.
Revised: Because new drugs can now suppress the body’s immune
reaction, fewer organ transplants are rejected by the body.
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Punctuation Problems