Comma Splice

The linking of two principal clauses with a comma is not a feature of English syntax. It frequently occurs in non-native speaker writing because in many other languages, such as our students' L1, the comma expresses a relationship between the clauses that the comma in English does not.

Some examples from my students

1. In spite of spending pleasant afternoon in Bologne we got only one hour, moreover it was at the siesta time.

2. She focuses on the integration and application of MI theory in ELT, in the appendix she provides a useful inventory for ESL teachers.

3. Group work is not part of all of these stages, it can occur in all of them, but certainly should occur in at last some, even though tis character can change according to the aims of the stage.

4. Nevertheless, I am convinced it is good for the students, it needs their training and it is an important skill to master.

5. I notice that the students have certain problems with these two low performance, that is why I put two unfinished sentences on the boardÖ

6. I think it motivates them and gives them confidence, it is especially important with the adult learners as they sometimes feel as there is no further improvement.

Much has been written about this as can be seen in the Academic Writing Resources section of this website. This is not to imply that the comma splice is a stylistic issue for academic writing, rather it is a matter of English syntax in general.