QUICK REVIEW
1. Independent thoughts (independent clauses) combined into a compound sentence must be
joined by a comma+FANBOYS or a semicolon to avoid a comma splice or run–on error.
2. Supporting thoughts (dependent clauses or phrases) which introduce independent clauses
are followed by a comma; supporting thoughts may come after an independent clause
without being punctuated.
3. Comma splice and run-on errors occur only between two independent clauses. If you find
only one independent clause, you have a simple sentence, so there is no run-on or comma
splice error.
4. Independent clauses have subjects and verbs and make finished, completed thoughts.
They do not begin with danger words (DW). If you find two separate sets of subjects and
verbs that do not begin with danger words, you have two independent clauses or a
compound sentence. You must punctuate correctly between them.
5. Dependent clauses have subjects and verbs but do not make finished thoughts. They
begin with danger words. If you find a group of words that has a subject and a verb and
that begins with a danger word, you have a dependent clause.
6. If the dependent clause begins the sentence, put a comma after it. If the dependent clause
comes after the independent clause, the danger word will be in the middle of the
sentence. Do not put a comma before a danger word in the middle of a sentence.
7. Caution: Before you put a comma before the word "and," be sure the "and" is joining two
different independent clauses, not just two verbs or phrases. Before you change a comma
to a semicolon, be sure the comma is between two independent clauses. Commas may be
in sentences for other reasons.
Practices