Fused Sentences
When two sentences are joined improperly, a fused sentence is created. Sometimes as we write, we run one sentence right into another with no mark of punctuation in between them.
This is call a run-on sentence.
Other times people feel the need of some kind of break at the end of the first sentence, and they put a comma there, instead of a period or a semicolon.
This is called a comma splice.
Both run-ons and comma splices are fused sentences, two sentences written as though they were one.
People who have a problem with fused sentences tend to join two sentences illegally in certain types of relationships. In these relationships, they tend to see the two sentences are two parts of one idea rather than two related but separate ideas.
- Statement and explanation
Roger finally went home, he wasn't getting anywhere anyway.
(The first statement above tells us that Roger went home. The second statement explains why.) One way to correct this would be to make it into a complex sentence with a main clause and a dependent clause:
Roger finally went home because he wasn't getting anywhere.
- Statement and sequence
First put the material into the machine, then turn the lever to the right.
(The first statement gives the first step in a process. The second statement gives the next step.) We could correct this by making it into a compound sentence:
First put the material into the machine, and then turn the lever to the right.
- Statement and alternative
Harry never went right home after work he always went out with his friends.
(The first statement tells what Harry did not do. The second tells what he did instead.) We can correct this by putting a semicolon at the end of first statement:
Harry never went right home after work; he always went out with his friends.
- Cause and effect
The manager was a tyrant, everyone in the department was quitting.
(The first statement describes the manager. The second statement gives the result of the manager's tyranny.) As with any fused sentence, we have a number of options in repairing it:
- Semicolon: The manager was a tyrant; everyone in the department was quitting.
- Compound Sentence: The manager was a tyrant, and everyone in the department was quitting.
- Complex Sentence: Because the manager was a tyrant, everyone in the department was quitting.
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