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What is a “comma splice”?: Difference between revisions

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A comma splice occurs when a comma is used to join two independent clauses. This error is also called a “run-on” sentence and can be fixed several ways. The following sentence contains a comma splice:
'''A comma splice occurs when a comma is used to join two independent clauses. This error is also called a “run-on” sentence and can be fixed several ways. The following sentence contains a comma splice:'''


: They will be policemen, they will be doctors and nurses.
: They will be policemen, they will be doctors and nurses.


The easiest way to fix a comma splice is to make each independent clause its own sentence:
'''The easiest way to fix a comma splice is to make each independent clause its own sentence:'''


: They will be policemen. They will be doctors and nurses.
: They will be policemen. They will be doctors and nurses.


However, in this case, two sentences is not a very elegant solution. Instead, a semicolon may be substituted for the comma:
'''However, in this case, two sentences is not a very elegant solution. Instead, a semicolon may be substituted for the comma:'''


: They will be policemen; they will be doctors and nurses.
: They will be policemen; they will be doctors and nurses.


A semicolon’s only job is to join two independent clauses that relate to each other closely. These relate, but a semicolon may not be the best choice here, either. Another way to fix the above comma splice would be to use a coordinating conjunction after the comma:
'''A semicolon’s only job is to join two independent clauses that relate to each other closely. These relate, but a semicolon may not be the best choice here, either. Another way to fix the above comma splice would be to use a coordinating conjunction after the comma:'''


: They will be policemen, and they will be doctors and nurses.
: They will be policemen, and they will be doctors and nurses.


Perhaps the best way to fix our splice is by removing the repeated “they will be,” thereby making the second clause dependent:
'''Perhaps the best way to fix our splice is by removing the repeated “they will be,” thereby making the second clause dependent:'''


: They will be policemen, doctors, and nurses.
: They will be policemen, doctors, and nurses.


Notice, too, the inclusion of the necessary comma after “doctors.” Now a comma splice has been made into a concise, grammatically correct sentence.
'''Notice, too, the inclusion of the necessary comma after “doctors.” Now a comma splice has been made into a concise, grammatically correct sentence.'''


A comma cannot, by itself, connect two main clauses; the clauses must either form separate sentences or be joined by a coordinating conjunction.
'''''A comma cannot, by itself, connect two main clauses; the clauses must either form separate sentences or be joined by a coordinating conjunction.'''''


Another way to fix a comma splice is to replace the comma with a co-ordinating conjunction such as ( and,but,or,for,yet,nor,or so).
'''Another way to fix a comma splice is to replace the comma with a co-ordinating conjunction such as ( and,but,or,for,yet,nor,or so).'''


: The little girl went to the store, for she was going to grocerries for her mother.
: The little girl went to the store, for she was going to grocerries for her mother.


You can replace the comma with a subordinating conjunction (after, although, before, unless, as, because, even though, if, since, until, when, while).
'''You can replace the comma with a subordinating conjunction (after, although, before, unless, as, because, even though, if, since, until, when, while).'''


: The baby was crying because she was hungry.
: The baby was crying because she was hungry.


Replacing the comma with a semi-colon and transitional word like however, moreover, on the other hand, nevertheless, instead, also, therefore, consequently, otherwise, as a result).
'''Replacing the comma with a semi-colon and transitional word like however, moreover, on the other hand, nevertheless, instead, also, therefore, consequently, otherwise, as a result).'''


: The little girl went to the store; as a result,she needed to buy grocerries for her mother.
: The little girl went to the store; as a result,she needed to buy grocerries for her mother.


But as you see you can only use the semi-colon before the transitional word, and a comma after the transtitonal word.
''But as you see you can only use the semi-colon before the transitional word, and a comma after the transtitonal word.''


Works Citied
                                  '''WORKS CITIED'''


Buckley, Joanne. Fit to Print: The Canadian Student’s Guide to Essay Writing. Toronto: Harcourt Brace & Company, Canada, 1998.
Buckley, Joanne. Fit to Print: The Canadian Student’s Guide to Essay Writing. Toronto: Harcourt Brace & Company, Canada, 1998.
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