ULiveandLearn.com -

Home    Login    Help    Contact         
September 2, 2010   
 
Google Custom Search
Member Login
Join for Free
Blog
Our Community
Follow ULL on Twitter  Follow ULL on LinkedIN  Subscribe in a reader 
Share
Visit our Business Writing Center at http://www.uliveandlearn.com/writingcenter/index.cfm

Business Writing Tips from The Writing Center


Business Grammar - Sentence Structure (2)
March 15, 2007

Our second of six rules on sentence structure to avoid sentence fragments and run-on sentences:

2. Eliminate comma splices (two sentences connected with only a comma) and run-on sentences (two sentences fused without punctuation).

Examples:
We finished the annual report, we submitted it to the stockholders. (comma splice)
We finished the annual report and we submitted it to the stockholders.  (run-on sentence)

Comma splices and run-on sentences can be corrected in the following ways:

  • Connect the sentences with a coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, or, nor, yet) preceded by a comma.
    Example: We finished the annual report, and we submitted it to the stockholders.
  • Connect the sentences with a semicolon.
    Example: We finished the annual report; we submitted it to the stockholders.
  • Make two separate sentences.
    Example: We finished the annual report. We submitted it to the stockholders.
  • Subordinate one of the sentences. That is, make it a clause that modifies the other sentence.
    Example: After we finished the annual report, we submitted it to the stockholders.


To comment on this topic, visit our Business Writing Tips Forum.

This edition was adapted from our Business Grammar Program.

Previous editions may be read at http://www.uliveandlearn.com/newsletters/index.cfm.
 


To receive this free weekly newsletter via e-mail, go to http://www.uliveandlearn.com/userjoin.cfm and select the newsletter option.

Return now to the Business Communications Library

Home |  Sitemap |  Help |  Contact |  Follow ULL on Twitter  Follow ULL on LinkedIN  Subscribe in a reader |  Bookmark and Share
Copyright © 2000 - 2010 by ULiveandLearn.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
Your use of this site means that you have read and accept our terms of use.