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An Electronic classroom for English 081
Punctuation: Common Errors . . .
The run on (r.o. or R.O.) sentence. This is an unfortunate label, but it is widely used in the small circle of English teachers. It has nothing to do with the quality of sentence or sentences. It means the writer may have fallen asleep while moving between two complete sentences and forgot to indicate that there were two complete sentences.
If we go to pattern 1a given in Punctuation Rules, instead of
* * . .
Complete period Complete period
We get the run on (R.O.)
* * .
Complete (no period, no punctuation) Complete period
This omission of punctuation is sometimes referred to as a "fused" sentence.
A variation of the R.O.
A slight but notable variation of the run on involves joining two complete sentences with a connecting word (coordinating conjunction), most commonly "and" or "but." So we get
* * and .
Complete and Complete period
The connecting words do connect things, but not things as large as sentences. That is why we need both the connecting word and the comma between the sentences. This brings us to the next problem.
The comma splice (c.s. or C.S.). This is a better label. Instead of falling asleep completely between two complete sentences/ independent clauses, the writer woke up enough to put in a comma.
* * , .
Complete comma Complete period
The objection here is that the comma is used to separate smaller things, not to join them. Sentences are important enough to merit some serious punctuation, not just the comma.
To summarize, run ons do not have enough material to join them, same with the comma splice.
How to correct them:
Correct the run on and fused sentence by changing the punctuation. A period and a capital letter will fix most fused sentences; a comma with the connecting word fixes the run ons; a period and a capital or a semicolon will fix the comma splice.
It all comes down to expectations: The reader expects certain marks in certain places. Commas separate small items—single words, phrases, and modifying clauses. Connecting words join small things—single words, phrases, and modifying clauses. Writers need periods or semicolons or commas plus connecting words to signal sentences.
Omitted Commas
Although writers usually do not omit commas between introductory or out-of-normal-order modifiers, some writers in informal writing do omit them.
.
Incomplete no comma Complete period
Many readers of Standard English object to this casual approach, and it is more offensive in some instances than in others. Try not to omit this comma.
Another common error is to drop the first comma of what should be an inserted pair. Most writers would not dream of using just one parenthesis, but they will sometimes leave out the first comma. Maybe they do so because the sentence seems to rise to that point then pause, but even so most readers find it annoying.
* * , .
Complete no comma incomplete comma complete
Just remember that we need either two commas or none.
You should now be ready to take a few quizzes to sharpen your punctuation skills.