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

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:

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

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

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

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.

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).

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

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).

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