What Are Fused Sentences

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WHAT ARE FUSED SENTENCES? FUSED SENTENCES is the broad term that covers a couple of grammatical mistakes that stem from combining two complete sentences (also sometimes called “independent clauses” by some textbooks) without including sufficient punctuation to separate the two sentences. The two most common are Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices. Run-on Sentences are two complete sentences with NO punctuation between the two sentences. Comma Splices are two complete sentences with only a comma between the two sentences, and a comma by itself is not strong or hard enough punctuation to separate two complete sentences. CORRECTING FUSED SENTENCES: Although there is an additional way to correct Comma Splices (see below), the three main ways to correct both Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices are exactly the same. 1) A period could be added to make two stand-alone complete sentences. 2) A comma after the first complete sentence and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, not, for, so, or yet) could separate the two complete sentences. 3) A semicolon (and no conjunction) could separate the two complete sentences. Examples of Not-Corrected Run-on Sentences: a) Bob and Cathy stopped by the store on their way home and Andy drove straight to the house. b) Bob and Cathy stopped by the store on their way home Andy drove straight to the house. Correction Options: 1) Bob and Cathy stopped by the store on their way home. Andy drove straight to the house. 2) Bob and Cathy stopped by the store on their way home, and Andy drove straight to the house. 3) Bob and Cathy stopped by the store on their way home; Andy drove straight to the house. Unlike Run-on Sentences, Comma Splices have one additional way that can be used to correct them. 4) One of the complete sentences (also called an “independent clause”) could be
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