Comma Splices
What is a Comma Splice?
A
comma splice is a type of run-on sentence in which a comma is used to connect
or “splice” together two complete thoughts (independent clauses). A comma alone
is not enough to connect two complete thoughts.
1. Make two separate sentences of the independent clauses.
Comma Splice: It has been raining for days, the ground is muddy.
Revision: It has been raining for days. The ground is muddy.
2. Use a semicolon to connect the two independent clauses that are closely related.
Comma Splice: It has been raining for days, the ground is muddy.
Revision: It has been raining for days; the ground is muddy.
3. Use subordination. Make one of the thoughts, or independent clauses, dependent.
Comma Splice: It has been raining for
days, the ground is muddy.
Revision: Because it has been raining for days, the ground is muddy.
(Common dependent words: after, although, as, because, before, even though, if, since, unless, until, when, and while).
4. Add a coordinating conjunction to connect the two independent clauses.
Comma Splice: It has been raining for days, the ground is all muddy.
Revision: It has been raining for days, so the ground is all muddy.
(There are seven coordinating conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So. Just remember “FANBOYS.”)
Remember:
Comma splices occur when two complete thoughts, or independent clauses, are connected or “spliced” together with a comma. To correct commas splices, either separate the two thoughts by using a period, or connect the thoughts by using a semicolon, by subordinating them, or by using a coordinating conjunction.