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When you have two independent clauses joined by a comma, it’s known as a “comma splice.” Another term for comma splice is a run-on sentence. It’s incorrect grammar.
For example: It’s nearly 8 a.m., I’ll never make it to work on time. While that might sound fine if you say it aloud, you end up with two simple, albeit complete sentences. That requires a period between the two. To wit: It’s nearly 8 a.m. I’ll never make it to work on time.
You need not always substitute a period for a comma, although that’s the most common fix. You can also rewrite the sentence(s), add a conjunction (‘and’ or ‘but’), or use a semicolon, to name three kinds of fixes.
Before Halloween, my wife scoops out the goop from the inside of a pumpkin, we then get together to carve out a face and eat the freshly baked seeds.
Correction 1: Before Halloween, my wife scoops out the goop from the inside of a pumpkin. Then, we get together to carve out a face and eat the freshly baked seeds.
We corrected the comma splice by making two separate sentences.
Correction 2: Before Halloween, my wife scoops out the goop from the inside of a pumpkin and we get together to carve out a face and eat the freshly baked seeds.
We corrected the comma splice by adding “and,” which is known as a coordinating conjunction.
Correction 3: Before Halloween, my wife scoops out the goop from the inside of a pumpkin, and we get together to carve out a face and eat the freshly baked seeds.
We corrected the comma splice by adding a comma followed by “and,” which is known as a coordinating conjunction.
Correction 4: For Halloween, we get together to carve a jack-o’-lantern and eat the freshly baked seeds after my wife scoops out the goop from inside the pumpkin.
We corrected the comma splice by rewriting the two sentences.
Correction 5: Before Halloween, my wife scoops out the goop from the inside of a pumpkin; we love to eat the seeds, which my mom bakes on a cookie sheet in the oven.
We replaced the comma with a semicolon and rewrote the second part.
Incorrect: Stella and Jerry got engaged in the spring, they want a summer wedding.
Correct: Stella and Jerry got engaged in the spring. They want a summer wedding.
Incorrect: Nesil is always late for class, the professor doesn’t seems to mind.
Correct: Nesil is always late for class, although the professor doesn’t seems to mind. Or: The professor doesn’t seems to mind that Nesil is always late to class.
Incorrect: Lila fractured her wrist over the weekend, she’s in a lot of pain.
Correct: Lila fractured her wrist over the weekend. Now she’s in a lot of pain.
Incorrect: Driving a car is faster and more comfortable, riding a bicycle is healthier and better for the environment.
Correct: Driving a car is faster and more comfortable but riding a bicycle is healthier and better for the environment.
Incorrect: The air conditioner is too loud, Yvonne can't sleep.
Correct: Yvonne can’t sleep because the air conditioner is too loud. Or: The air conditioner is so loud Yvonne can’t sleep.
Incorrect: I’m busy, I don’t have time for small talk.
Correct: I’m busy and don’t have time for small talk.