Comma Splices Diagnostic Flashcard

A comma splice is a grammatical error that occurs when two independent clauses are joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction.

This sentence contains a comma splice because it joins two independent clauses with just a comma.

You can correct a comma splice by using a period, a semicolon, or adding a coordinating conjunction.

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence, containing a subject and a verb.

A coordinating conjunction is a word that connects two independent clauses, such as 'and', 'but', or 'or'.

"I wanted to go for a walk, but it was raining outside."

A semicolon connects closely related independent clauses without using a conjunction.

This sentence contains a comma splice.

A comma splice incorrectly joins two independent clauses with a comma, while a run-on sentence joins them without any punctuation.

Look for two independent clauses that are connected by only a comma.