ELA
Confusing a Run-On Sentence with a Comma Splice
Students treat a fused run-on sentence and a comma splice as the same error and do not notice whether a comma is present.
Quick check
Why students make it
Both errors connect two complete thoughts incorrectly, so they can feel alike. Students often think a comma is enough to show any pause between complete sentences.
The rule done right
A fused run-on joins two independent clauses with no punctuation or conjunction. A comma splice joins two independent clauses with only a comma, so fix it with a period, a semicolon, a comma plus a coordinating conjunction, or a subordinating word.
Related resources
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Sentence Types Infographic -
Comma Rules Infographic -
Punctuation Marks and Their Jobs Infographic -
Common Grammar Mistakes Infographic -
Subject and Predicate Infographic - Grammar & Punctuation Cheat Sheet
- Simple, Compound & Complex Sentences Cheat Sheet
- Comma Rules Master Reference Cheat Sheet
- Punctuation Rules Master Reference Cheat Sheet
- Coordinate and Subordinate Clauses Reference Cheat Sheet
- Language Arts, Comma Rules and Semicolons Worksheet
- Language Arts, Sentence Fragments and Run-On Sentences Worksheet
- Language Arts, Sentence Types, Simple, Compound, and Complex Worksheet
- ELA, Common Subordinating Conjunctions (AAAWWUBBIS) Practice Worksheet
- ELA, Seven Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS) Practice Worksheet
- Grammar Patterns Explorer Tool
- Grammar Patterns Lab Lab