How to Fix Comma Splice / Run-on sentence


Along with Parallel Punctuation, a comma splice, also known as a run-on sentence, is the most common error tested in the SAT and the ACT


A comma splice error occurs when two complete sentences are joined only by a comma. 





I ran home, she went to school.                                                (incorrect)
Manchester United is awesome, Real Madrid is also amazing.         (incorrect)


There are various ways of fixing a comma splice.
However, there are 3 fundamental methods. 1st Method: Change the punctuation mark This is the easiest method of fixing a comma splice. If a comma is the problem, all we have to do is change the comma. Within the 1st method, there are 4 grammatical methods: 1. Period 2. Semicolon 3. Colon 4. Dash

1-2: Period & Semicolon They are grammatically the same. The only difference is the capitalization. Many movies are entertaining. The movies from Marvel are especially entertaining. Many movies are entertaining; the movies from Marvel are especially entertaining. 3-4: Colon and Dash Depending on the context, we can use colon or dash to fix a comma splice error.

Colon is used when the 2nd sentence elaborates the first sentence. I passed the test: the test was easy
Dash has many usages, one of which can also connect two sentences in the same way as a colon.
The rule is simple—you need to pass the test.
Though these 4 methods are grammatically correct, some create different meaning, so it is important to understand each punctuation mark in detail.




2nd Method: Connect the sentences using FANBOYS

Main Conjunctions — For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So (FANBOYS) — can connect two independent sentences.
I ran home, and she stayed in school. I wanted to go home, so I got on the bus.

Understand that you HAVE to use FANBOYS with a comma to connect two sentences.


Comma + Main Conjunction (FANBOYS)


*One mistake students make the most is using 'HOWEVER' to connect two sentences. I called him, however, he did not answer.                                    (Incorrect)
The sentence above is a comma splice.


The word 'however' is not FANBOYS and does not have the power to connect two sentences. This error can be simply fixed by using a semicolon or period I called him; however, he did not answer.                                     (correct)
I called him. However, he did not answer.                                    (correct)
or by replacing "however" with a contrasting conjunction from FANBOYS. I called him, but he did not answer.                                            (correct) I called him, yet he did not answer.                                            (correct)
It is perfectly fine to use the word "however" this way, though: I, however, was wrong.                                                            (correct) In this case, "however" is not connecting two sentences.




3rd Method: Change or kill the sentence.

Sometimes, it's not possible to change the comma because the option is not given or the given punctuation option is used incorrectly. In this case, we have to change the sentence into a modifier.
Take a look at two comma splice examples below:


In this case, we cannot change the comma as it is not underlined.

The only way to fix the error in this question is to change one sentence into a modifier with the correct relationship. Remember that answer choice D (‘however’) is a comma splice. Therefore, the correct answer is B "although he had"



one more example:


Likewise, the underlined portion here doesn't allow us to change the comma. 

The only option here is to kill a sentence. A sentence is formed only when there is a subject and a verb. In other words, a sentence will no longer be a sentence when one of them is removed. 

Answer choice D “representing” removes the verb and changes the sentence into a modifier, fixing the comma splice error.

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