Fused Sentences, Fragments, and Comma Splices

Comma Splice

A comma splice occurs when a comma is placed between two main clauses without a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so).

Fused Sentence

A fused sentence joins two independent clauses (complete thoughts) together without punctuation or conjunctions, creating a run-on.

Sentence Fragment

A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence missing a subject, verb, or main clause, making it an incomplete thought.

Comma Splice Solutions - Period

Use a period to separate the clauses. Example: 'I am finding my German course very interesting. I am considering taking more German.'

Comma Splice Solutions - Coordinating Conjunction

• Use a comma with a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, so).

• Example: 'I am finding my German course very interesting, so I am considering taking more German.'

Comma Splice Solutions - Semicolon

• Use a semicolon to link two closely related independent clauses.

• Example: 'I am finding my German course very interesting; I am considering taking more German.'

Comma Splice Solutions - Semicolon with Conjunctive Adverb

• Use a semicolon followed by a conjunctive adverb (e.g., therefore, however).

• Example: 'I am finding my German course very interesting; therefore, I am considering taking more German.'

Comma Splice Solutions - Colon

• Use a colon to emphasize the second clause.

• Example: 'I am finding my German course very interesting: I am considering taking more German.'

Comma Splice Solutions - Subordinate Conjunction

• Begin the less important clause with a subordinate conjunction (because, although, while, etc.).

• Example: 'Because I am finding my German course very interesting, I am considering taking more German.'

Fused Sentence Solutions - Period or Semicolon

• Separate the main clauses with a period or join them with a semicolon.

• Example: 'I find the repetitive rhythms of cross-country skiing very relaxing; I can easily lose track of time.'

Fused Sentence Solutions - Comma with Coordinating Conjunction

• Use a comma and coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

• Example: 'I have an important essay due soon, and it is worth a large chunk of my grade.'

Fused Sentence Solutions - Only Coordinating Conjunction

• Add just the coordinating conjunction without a comma.

• Example: 'I have an important essay due soon and it is worth a large chunk of my grade.'

Fused Sentence Solutions - Semicolon

• Separate clauses with a semicolon.

• Example: 'I have an important essay due soon; it is worth a large chunk of my grade.'

Fused Sentence Solutions - Semicolon with Conjunctive Adverb

• Use a semicolon plus a conjunctive adverb (also, therefore, however, etc.) followed by a comma.

• Example: 'I have an important essay due soon; also, it is worth a large chunk of my grade.'

Sentence Fragment Solutions - Phrase Fragment

• Add a subject and verb to complete the thought.

• Example: 'We will be buying a house instead of a condominium.'

Sentence Fragment Solutions - Missing Verb

• Add an auxiliary verb if the verb ends in -ing.

• Example: 'The audience was listening to the concert.'

Sentence Fragment Solutions - Missing Subject

• Add a subject to the clause.

• Example: 'Candice will want to consider paying more for a superior product.'

Sentence Fragment Solutions - Subordinate Clause Fragment

• Either remove the subordinate conjunction or add a main clause.

• Example: 'Because we have agreed to extend the fence, the project may cost more than we budgeted initially.'