ESL Grammar Sentence Structure Runon Sentences and Comma Splices Fixes

What It Is

A run-on sentence is two or more independent clauses (complete thoughts) joined without proper punctuation. A comma splice is when two independent clauses are joined with a comma without a conjunction. ESL learners often struggle with these because their first language may use different sentence structures or punctuation rules.

Key Rules

• A run-on sentence has two or more independent clauses: Subject + Verb.
  Example: I went to the store, I bought milk.
• Use a period (.) to separate independent clauses.
  Example: I went to the store. I bought milk.
• Use a semicolon (;) to join two closely related independent clauses.
  Example: I went to the store; I bought milk.
• Use a conjunction (and, but, or) to join two independent clauses.
  Example: I went to the store, and I bought milk.
• A comma splice is when two independent clauses are joined with a comma without a conjunction.
  Example: I went to the store, I bought milk. (Incorrect)
• Use a subordinating conjunction (because, since, after) to join a dependent clause to an independent clause.
  Example: I went to the store because I needed milk.
• Use a relative clause (which, that) to join a dependent clause to an independent clause.
  Example: I went to the store, which is near my house.
• Use a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or) to join two independent clauses.
  Example: I went to the store, and I bought milk.
• Use a semicolon (;) to join two closely related independent clauses.
  Example: I went to the store; I bought milk.
• Use a period (.) to separate independent clauses.
  Example: I went to the store. I bought milk.
• A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
  Example: I went to the store because (Incorrect)
• Use a subordinating conjunction (because, since, after) to join a dependent clause to an independent clause.
  Example: I went to the store because I needed milk.
• Use a relative clause (which, that) to join a dependent clause to an independent clause.
  Example: I went to the store, which is near my house.
• Use a comma to separate items in a list.
  Example: I bought milk, eggs, and bread.
• Use a comma to separate dates and addresses.
  Example: I was born on January 1, 1990, in Tokyo, Japan.
• Use a comma to separate introductory phrases.
  Example: After I finished my homework, I went to bed.

Common ESL Errors

Error: I went to the store, I bought milk.
Why it happens: Interference from L1 (first language) or overgeneralization of comma usage.
Correction: I went to the store. I bought milk. (Use a period to separate independent clauses.)

Error: I went to the store because I went to the store.
Why it happens: Overuse of subordinating conjunctions.
Correction: I went to the store because I needed milk. (Use a subordinating conjunction to join a dependent clause to an independent clause.)

Error: I went to the store, which I bought milk.
Why it happens: Misuse of relative clauses.
Correction: I went to the store, and I bought milk. (Use a coordinating conjunction to join two independent clauses.)

Practice Exercises

1. Fill in the blank: I went to the store, and I __ (buy) milk.
   Answer: bought Reason: Use a verb to complete the sentence.

2. Fill in the blank: I went to the store; I __ (buy) milk.
   Answer: bought Reason: Use a verb to complete the sentence.

3. Fill in the blank: I went to the store because I __ (need) milk.
   Answer: needed Reason: Use a verb to complete the sentence.

Last-Minute Revision

⚠️ The verb "to be" has many irregular forms (am, is, are, was, were, been).
⚠️ Use a comma to separate items in a list (e.g., I bought milk, eggs, and bread).
⚠️ Use a comma to separate dates and addresses (e.g., I was born on January 1, 1990, in Tokyo, Japan).
⚠️ Use a comma to separate introductory phrases (e.g., After I finished my homework, I went to bed).
⚠️ The word "which" is a relative pronoun (e.g., I went to the store, which is near my house).
⚠️ The word "that" is a relative pronoun (e.g., I went to the store, that I bought milk).
⚠️ Use a semicolon (;) to join two closely related independent clauses (e.g., I went to the store; I bought milk).
⚠️ Use a period (.) to separate independent clauses (e.g., I went to the store. I bought milk).
⚠️ A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence (e.g., I went to the store because).
⚠️ Use a subordinating conjunction (because, since, after) to join a dependent clause to an independent clause (e.g., I went to the store because I needed milk).
⚠️ Use a relative clause (which, that) to join a dependent clause to an independent clause (e.g., I went to the store, which is near my house).
⚠️ The word "and" is a coordinating conjunction (e.g., I went to the store, and I bought milk).
⚠️ The word "but" is a coordinating conjunction (e.g., I went to the store, but I forgot my wallet).
⚠️ The word "or" is a coordinating conjunction (e.g., I went to the store, or I stayed home).