Comma Splices
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Comma Splices
A comma and a conjunction can join two sentences:
Cause1: Not recognizing that unexplained pronouns can be subjects
Cause2: One sentence merely introduces the subject of the next sentence
Cause3: Two sentences and one thought
Cause4: Two sentences and one incident
Cause5: A negative sentence and a positive sentence
Cause6: A second sentence that comments on the first sentence
Cause7: Two choppy sentences instead of one smooth sentence
Cause8: A complete second sentence even though it has words missing
Cause9: Two short commands (imperative sentences)
Cause10: A command and a reason
Cause11: A comment starting with “this” or with “these” or with “that” instead of with “which”
Cause12: Guessing that pointers can create fragments or connect sentences
Cause13: Two sentences in dialogue
Definition
This error happens when only a comma is between two sentences where a period should be:
X Jim goofed, he did not pay his rent.
How to Correct a Comma Splice
A comma and a conjunction can join two sentences:
Sue dressed quickly, but she forgot the tickets.
A semicolon can join two sentences:
Al is very tough; he was in the marines.
A semicolon (or period) and a conjunctive adverb (or pointer) can show two sentences:
We want to help you; however, you must cooperate with us.
Your application is incomplete. Therefore, we must postpone your interview.
My son went to college; in fact, he graduated from Harvard.
Causes of Comma Splices:
Cause1: Not recognizing that unexplained pronouns can be subjects
X He looked, it was not there.
C He looked. It was not there.
(Who is he? What is it? The questions are not useful. The useful questions are these: Who looked? He did. What was not there? It.)
X It does not work, they broke it.
C It does not work. They broke it.
The statement “It is not a complete sentence if you still have questions” is not a reliable test of completeness.
Cause2: One sentence merely introduces the subject of the next sentence
X Next comes my brother Al, he’s the clown of the family.
C Next comes my brother Al. He’s the clown of the family.
C My brother Al is the clown of the family.
X Sue has a new boyfriend, his name is Bob, he is nice.
C Sue’s new boyfriend Bob is nice.
X The second group are welfare cheaters, they steal from you and me.
C Welfare cheaters are stealing from you and me.
X Then there is auto insurance, this costs me $1800 a year.
C Automobile insurance costs $1800 a year.
Cause3: Two sentences and one thought
X He looked inside the box, it was empty.
C He looked inside the box. It was empty.
C He looked inside the box; it was empty.
C He looked inside the box, but it was empty.
X A comma splice is a big error, it is putting a comma where a period must go.
C A comma splice is a big error. It is putting a comma where a period must go.
Cause4: Two sentences and one incident
X Then we went to the restaurant, it was closed.
C Then we went to the restaurant. It was closed.
X She slapped him hard, his nose started to bleed.
C She slapped him hard. His nose started to bleed.
Cause5: A negative sentence and a positive sentence
X This line doesn’t have one sentence, it has two.
C This line doesn’t have one sentence. It has two.
X This line doesn’t need a comma, it needs a period.
C This line doesn’t need a comma. It needs a period.
X She is your wife, she is not your servant.
C She is your wife. She is not your servant.
C She is your wife, not your servant.
Cause6: A second sentence that comments on the first sentence
X No one gets fresh with Maria, she knows karate.
C No one gets fresh with Maria. She knows karate.
X I won’t play golf, it’s too expensive.
C I won’t play golf. It is too expensive.
X I had to buy a new muffler, it cost $140.
C I had to buy a new muffler. It cost $140.
C I had to spend $140 on a new muffler.
Cause7: Two choppy sentences instead of one smooth sentence
X My sister’s name is Sue, she is eleven.
C My sister’s name is Sue. She is eleven.
C My sister Sue is eleven.
X We went to the beach, we met some girls.
C We went to the beach. We met some girls.
C We went to the beach and met some girls.
C When we went to the beach, we met some girls.
Cause8: A complete second sentence even though it has words missing
X Dad goes fishing every weekend, Mom goes too.
C Dad goes fishing every weekend. Mom goes too.
(The missing words “fishing every weekend” are not essential for completeness.)
X Joe likes to get drunk every weekend, I don’t.
C Joe likes to get drunk every weekend. I don’t.
Notice, though, that some incomplete groups are fragments:
C Joe likes to get drunk every weekend, rather than do house projects or study for his courses.
Cause9: Two short commands (imperative sentences)
X Take my advice, don’t drink and drive.
C Take my advice. Don’t drink and drive.
X Let it bake for thirty minutes, then let it cool.
C Let it bake for thirty minutes. Then let it cool.
X Keep Florida green, bring money.
C Keep Florida green. Bring money.
X First, gather your facts, second, organize them.
C First, gather your facts. Second, organize them.
Cause10: A command and a reason
X Don’t drink and drive, you could kill someone.
C Don’t drink and drive. You could kill someone.
X Street drugs scramble your brains, don’t use them.
C Street drugs scramble your brains. Don’t use them.
Cause11: A comment starting with “this” or with “these” or with “that” instead of with “which”
X Dad gave me a video cam, this will come in handy.
C Dad gave me a video cam. This will come in handy.
C Dad gave me a video cam, which will come in handy.
X My friend Jim wants to date my ex-wife, that is a bad idea.
C My friend Jim wants to date my ex-wife. That is a bad idea.
X Sue is allergic to some common foods, these include wheat, strawberries, and shellfish.
C Sue is allergic to some common foods. These include wheat, strawberries, and shellfish.
C Sue is allergic to some common foods, including wheat, strawberries, and shellfish.
Cause12: Guessing that pointers can create fragments or connect sentences
X She waited an hour, then she went home.
C She waited an hour. Then she went home.
X Now I understand, however Jim is still confused.
C Now I understand. However, Jim is still confused.
X Of course I had an invitation, otherwise I wouldn’t be here.
C Of course I had an invitation. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here.
X First Jim tried to haggle, then he paid full price.
C First Jim tried to haggle. Then he paid full price.
Cause13: Two sentences in dialogue
X Dad said, “Your grades are terrible, you will never amount to anything.”
C Dad said, “Your grades are terrible. You will never amount to anything.”
X The cop said, “You were speeding, I’m giving you a ticket.”
C The cop said, “You were speeding. I’m giving you a ticket.”
Last updated 9/18/06
This document is protected by copyright. It may be used and reproduced only for non-profit educational use.