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Subject:Re: Speaking of grammar... From:Stephanie Holland <SLHOLLAND -at- MICRON -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 19 Sep 1997 10:29:02 -0600
Hi Pat --
A comma splice, also known as a comma fault, causes a run-on sentence.
Experienced writers might use a comma splice to achieve a special
effect. (But this probably would be used more often in journalism,
advertising, or fiction than in technical writing.)
One of the most common instances of a comma splice is when an
inexperienced writer uses a comma to separate two independent clauses
without a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon.
For example: My mother baked a chocolate cake, I ate it. (This sentence
could be fixed with a semicolon, a period, or a coordinating
conjunction.)
Another example: I really wanted to eat another chocolate cake, however,
I didn't want to wait for it to bake. (This sentence could be fixed by
replacing the first comma with a semicolon.)
Hope this helps ...
Stephanie Holland
Technical Communication Manager
Micron Electronics
slholland -at- micron -dot- com
>----------
>From: Pat Gantt[SMTP:pagantt -at- POSTOFFICE -dot- WORLDNET -dot- ATT -dot- NET]
>Sent: Friday, September 19, 1997 8:07 AM
>To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
>Subject: Speaking of grammar...
>
>I *never* have figured out what
>a comma splice is...
>
>Dang!
>
>So those of you who are not afflicted
>by comma diarrhea please enlighten me.
>
>--
>Best Regards, Pat
>========================================
>Pat Gantt
>
>Electronic Media Design & Support
>
>The University of Tennessee Alum
>M.S., Human Resource Development
>Persn'l email: pagantt -at- worldnet -dot- att -dot- net
>========================================
>
>
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