Comma Splices

What is comma splice?

A comma splice is a sentence problem which occurs when you use a comma to join two complete sentences without placing an appropriate joining word between them. Here are examples of comma splice:
  • They have finished the assignment, they have not submitted it.
  • She was sick, she didn't come to class.
  • He took a rest, he was so tired.

A similar sentence error is the run-on sentence. It occurs when you join two complete sentences without any punctuation mark at all:
  • They have finished the assignment they have not submitted it. 
  • She was sick she didn't come to class.
  • He took a rest he was so tired .

Fixing a run-on sentence is no different from fixing a comma splice.

How to Fix a Comma Splice

Method 1: Use a period.

Separate it into two simple sentences by simply replacing the comma with a full-stop. Look at the correction below:

  • They have finished the assignment. They have not submitted it.  √
  • She was sick. She didn't come to class.  √
  • He took a rest. He was so tired.   √

Method 2: Use a semi-colon. 

If you want to put the two ideas in one sentence, use a semi-colon rather than a full-stop. Look at the correction below:

  • They have finished the assignment; they have not submitted it.  √
  • She was sick; she didn't come to class.  √
  • He took a rest; he was so tired.  √

Method 3: Use a coordinating conjunction. 

Like the semi-colon, a conjunction allows you to combine your two ideas in a single sentence. Besides joining ideas, a coordinating conjunction also indicate the logical relationship between the two ideas. Look at the correction below:

  • They have finished the assignment, but they have not submitted it.  √
  • She was sick, so she didn't come to class.  √
  • He took a rest; for he was so tired.  √

Method 4: Use a subordinating conjunction.

Subordinating conjunctions are similar to coordinating conjunctions in that they allow you to indicate the logical relationship between two independent clauses. A little difference is that one idea will become less important than another (dependent clause). Look at the correction below:

  • Although they have finished the assignment, they have not submitted it.  √
  • Since she was sick, she didn't come to class.  √
  • He took a rest because he was so tired.  √