I agree it is a comma-splice/run-on, but what is interesting to me is the
structure of the second sentence (specifically, that it begins with a
pronoun/auxiliary verb combination). Based on my unscientific, unquantified
observations, it seems that the majority of c-s/r-o's I see have this
structure at the beginning of the second sentence.

Although it is incorrect strictly according to Hoyle (or Harbace or
whoever), I find it an interesting error because there is a certain logic to
it - since the pronoun is a mere reflection of the closest appropriate noun
and the linking verb essentially a lexical equal sign, the very weak
beginning to the second sentence can make it seem highly dependent on (or at
least highly connected to) the first sentence. Furthermore, this is a
construction that is not uncommon in fiction or other types of published
writing. It may be incorrect, but it isn't (in this case) a
punctuation/coordination error that renders a sentence confusing.

So I would say it is a comma splice, but it is also a potential watershed in
the continuing evolution of punctuation (which is, after all, a completely
human-invented thing). If not coming to a full stop isn't confusing to the
reader and (in fact) may even continue the flow of a developing thought
(although I agree that "it doesn't matter what differences we have, we will
always . . ." would be more clear) then perhaps it is in that murky category
of puzzlements with "the student and their errors" pronoun/antecedent
dilemma.

In terms of responding to the students, I would tell them to be aware of the
pronoun/linking verb construction (particularly if this error runs
throughout the papers). However, you might also ask why the student chose
the comma - although he/she probably won't be able to articulate the reason
in grammatical terms, if you hear that the desire was for a certain effect
in balance and pace, then I'd let it go with a short caution. But I'm a
heretic.

Maureen Fitzpatrick
Associate Professor, English
Johnson County Community College
Overland Park, KS

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul E. Doniger [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2001 7:14 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: A comma-splice?

Ed,

Yes, I would consider it a comma splice. With my high school students
(juniors and seniors), however, we treate fused sentences and comma splices
as "run-on sentences." It's a question of fewer terms to learn and less time
spent in class (the curriculum is too full!).

As far as correction of the error, it depends on the context of the
situation. If it turned up on a student's draft, I would simply draw the
student's attention to it and expect him or her to make the correction
(i.e., by the time I get these students, they SHOULD know how to correct
this type of error). If I'm using this as an example in a review lesson (and
it would have to be review for this type of problem to come up), I'd throw
the question out to the class and put a few choices on the board (hopefully
they would have come up with good ones). Then I might ask the class if
there's any consensus of which one they like best and why.

Paul
----- Original Message -----

From: Ed Vavra <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2001 5:43 AM
Subject: A comma-splice?

I'd appreciate your comments about the last sentence in the following. In
particular, I would like to know if you consider it a comma-splice, and, if
so, what you would do about it (if anything) in a student's writing?
With all these people I have at least one thing in common, either hair or
eye color, or even disliking or liking the same people. It doesn't matter
what we have in common, we will always have something to talk about.
Thanks,
Ed V.