Good Grammar: Comma Splice Definition and How to Fix Them

One of the most common forms of sentence structure errors, comma splices are also one of the hardest grammar errors to catch.

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses, also known as complete sentences, are combined by only a comma. This creates a run-on sentence.

Independent clauses can only be combined with a semi-colon (;), separated into two sentences by a period and capital letter, or by using a comma with a conjunction. Basically, a comma splice occurs when you're missing a conjunction.

Examples of comma splices:

• The cat meowed, the dog barked.
• Sally was mad, when she went to the store, she missed her bus.
• Jamie never wanted to be there in the first place, he was too nice for that type of people.

If both parts of a sentence, on either side of a comma, can stand alone, then you've got a comma splice. Here's some of examples of how to fix them:

• The cat meowed. The dog barked.
• Sally was mad, because when she went to the store, she missed her bus.
• Jamie never wanted to be there in the first place; he was too nice for that type of people.

Try to locate comma splices in your own writing by actually looking for your sentence structures, especially if you're someone who uses a lot of commas.

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Yup! Comma is just one of the trickiest punctuation marks that I still use improperly despite of being a grammar nazi. Of course being one requires being good at using punctuations. Thank you for sharing this. I now clearly understand the usage of comma. I'm pretty sure I'll be more confident with my writing now. Thank you so much!