Sentence Combining

Every sentence is built from two halves. Work through each one, then test it on the line.

A run-on jams two complete sentences together with no punctuation between them. Each half is an independent clause that could stand on its own, so they have to be joined the right way or split into two sentences.

A comma splice joins two complete sentences with only a comma. A comma is too weak to do that job alone. It needs a conjunction with it, or the two sentences need to be separated.

To join two independent clauses correctly, use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (one of the FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). That makes a compound sentence. Or add a subordinating conjunction to one clause to make it dependent, building a complex sentence.