Editing for Comma Splices and Fused Sentences

Editing for Comma Splices and Fused Sentences

English 803English 803

Independent ClausesIndependent Clauses An Independent clause (IC) is a group of words with a

subject and a verb that expresses a complete thought. Marty enjoyed his first year of college. (A sentence

with one independent clause) He learned how to study, and he learned how to

manage his time. (a sentence with two independent clauses)

He had the time to complete his schoolwork properly and time to spend with his friends.(a sentence with one IC and a pair of infinitive phrases.

An Independent clause (IC) is a group of words with a subject and a verb that expresses a complete thought. Marty enjoyed his first year of college. (A sentence

with one independent clause) He learned how to study, and he learned how to

manage his time. (a sentence with two independent clauses)

He had the time to complete his schoolwork properly and time to spend with his friends.(a sentence with one IC and a pair of infinitive phrases.

Subject PretendersSubject Pretenders Sometimes we mistake

words in prepositional phrases for subjects of clauses

Sometimes we mistake words in prepositional phrases for subjects of clauses

She applied as a short order cook at Gino’s. “Short order cook” is not the subject of this clause; “She” is the subject.

One of my favorite comic strips in the Sunday paper is Doonesbury. “comic strips” is not the subject of this clause; “one” is the subject.

She applied as a short order cook at Gino’s. “Short order cook” is not the subject of this clause; “She” is the subject.

One of my favorite comic strips in the Sunday paper is Doonesbury. “comic strips” is not the subject of this clause; “one” is the subject.

Verb PretendersVerb Pretenders Ing words are not verbs

unless they have a form of “to be” in front of them (“was,” “is,” etc.)

We can spot the crew rowing toward the shore. (Although it looks like a verb, “rowing” is not the verb of this clause; “spot” is the verb)

Yelling loudly, Peter hailed the cab. (Again, yelling is not the verb; “hailed” is the verb of this clause.)

Ing words are not verbs unless they have a form of “to be” in front of them (“was,” “is,” etc.)

We can spot the crew rowing toward the shore. (Although it looks like a verb, “rowing” is not the verb of this clause; “spot” is the verb)

Yelling loudly, Peter hailed the cab. (Again, yelling is not the verb; “hailed” is the verb of this clause.)

To + Verb: Infinitives are not verbs.

Susan went to the store to buy apples. (“to buy” is not the verb in this clause; “went” is the verb)

To study would be the sensible thing to do. (“To study” is not the verb in this clause; “would be” is the verb.):

To + Verb: Infinitives are not verbs.

Susan went to the store to buy apples. (“to buy” is not the verb in this clause; “went” is the verb)

To study would be the sensible thing to do. (“To study” is not the verb in this clause; “would be” is the verb.):

Fused SentencesFused Sentences Two or more IC’s without

a proper connecting word and punctuation.

Two or more IC’s without a proper connecting word and punctuation.

Three corrections: IC. IC. IC; IC. IC, (FANBOY) IC.

Three corrections: IC. IC. IC; IC. IC, (FANBOY) IC.

Fanboys = coordinating conjunctions = For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So (These are crucial tools for connecting (or coordinating) ideas into more complex sentences. Note: The only time you must have a comma before a FANBOY is when it connects two independent clauses.

ExampleExample Fused Sentence: I gave my dog Ralph

the bone he liked it so much that it was gone in a minute. I gave my dog Ralph the bone. He liked it so

much that it was gone in a minute. I gave my dog Ralph the bone; he liked it so

much that it was gone in a minute. I gave my dog Ralph the bone, and he liked

it so much that it was gone in a minute.

Fused Sentence: I gave my dog Ralph the bone he liked it so much that it was gone in a minute. I gave my dog Ralph the bone. He liked it so

much that it was gone in a minute. I gave my dog Ralph the bone; he liked it so

much that it was gone in a minute. I gave my dog Ralph the bone, and he liked

it so much that it was gone in a minute.

Comma SpliceComma Splice

A sentence with two independent clauses separated only by a comma.

A sentence with two independent clauses separated only by a comma.

Three Corrections IC. IC.. IC; IC. IC, (fanboys) IC.

Three Corrections IC. IC.. IC; IC. IC, (fanboys) IC.

ExampleExample Comma Splice: My sister is still in

law school, she expects to finish in June. My sister is still in law school. She

expects to finish in June. My sister is still in law school; she

expects to finish in June. My sister is till in law school, but she

expects to finish in June.

Comma Splice: My sister is still in law school, she expects to finish in June. My sister is still in law school. She

expects to finish in June. My sister is still in law school; she

expects to finish in June. My sister is till in law school, but she

expects to finish in June.