comma splices
What is a Comma Splice?
To find out, we first have to begin with complete sentences.
Complete Sentences Have
A subject (the noun performing the verb).
He sings.
A verb (the verb tied to the noun).
He sings.
And a complete thought (the sentence makes sense).
Comma splices
Are called by that name because they are two or more sentences crammed together with only a comma for punctuation.
Examples:
Juliana regrets cutting her own hair, she will visit a stylist to fix it.
My cat only wants attention when I'm doing homework, I'm trying to write a paper.
I plan to run a marathon, I have only run one mile so far.
Listen
Read the above sentences aloud. These are a bit harder to hear than fragments or fused sentences, and you'll notice the comma gives a short pause. However, sentences need a l o n g e r pause between them.
Think of sentences as people on a crowded train. They don't like being cramped together and need breathing room!
We can give them that through more punctuation than a comma. A comma is not quite enough space.
Fixing comma splices
Add a period
Simply change the comma to a period.
Examples:
Juliana regrets cutting her own hair. She will visit a stylist to fix it.
My cat only wants attention when I'm doing homework. I'm trying to write a paper.
I plan to run a marathon. I have only run one mile so far.
Add a FANBOYS (coordinating conjunctions) after the comma
FANBOYS (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So) can connect sentences with a comma, even though a comma alone cannot connect two sentences. Read more on FANBOYS here.
Examples:
Juliana regrets cutting her own hair, so she will visit a stylist to fix it.
My cat only wants attention when I'm doing homework, and I'm trying to write a paper.
I plan to run a marathon, yet I have only run one mile so far.
Replace the comma with a subordinating conjunction
Subordinating words can connect sentences without the use of a comma. Read more on subordinating words here. Common examples are after, although, because, if, since, while, until, unless, before, which, even though.
Examples:
Juliana regrets cutting her own hair which is why she will visit a stylist to fix it.
My cat only wants attention when I'm doing homework even though I'm trying to write a paper.
I plan to run a marathon although I have only run one mile so far.
Need a video?
Comma Splices (infographic)
Presentation mode here.