Comma Splice

Comma Splice Review

Remember these?

Why do they happen?

Comma splices are often the sign of a writer trying to become a better writer by combining ideas into one sentence. But the writer hasn't mastered punctuation yet and needs more practice.

How do you know?

You can spot a comma splice by reading what's written on either side of the comma. If both sides sound like they can be a complete sentence (if they both have a subject and verb) it's probably a comma splice.

Poll

Try it: Is this a comma splice?

Harold was so sick of his purple crayon, he wanted to throw it away.

• Comma splice

• Not a comma splice

Poll

What about this one?

Beauty and the Beast is the best Disney movie, but I hated the live-action version.

• Comma splice

• Not a comma splice

Why are they bad?

A comma just isn't a strong enough punctuation mark to hold together two complete sentences. It's only meant to separate off extra information or create brief pauses.

How do you fix it? Three options:

• Add a conjunction (and, or, but, etc) after the comma.

• Replace the comma with a semicolon.

• Replace the comma with a period and then capitalize the next letter (make one sentence into two).

How do yu choose?

It's up to you! And it depends on the sentence and the context, which are always unique to the situation and to the writer.

Let's practice!

Poll

How would you fix this one:

I'd been waiting for months to get my COVID vaccine, I didn't know if I could take it any longer.

• I'd been waiting for months to get my COVID vaccine, and I didn't know if I could take it any longer.

• I'd been waiting for months to get my COVID vaccine; I didn't know if I could take it any longer.

• I'd been waiting for months to get my COVID vaccine. I didn't know if I could take it any longer.

Poll

How about this one:

She awoke to the sound of gentle music, she felt for a moment like she was safe at home again.

• She awoke to the sound of gentle music, and she felt for a moment like she was safe at home again.

• She awoke to the sound of gentle music; she felt for a moment like she was safe at home again.

• She awoke to the sound of gentle music. She felt for a moment like she was safe at home again.

Poll

And this one (choose the technique):

Sam hated when his parents fought, he wished they'd just get divorced already.

• Add "and"

• Semicolon

• Two sentences

Poll

A couple more:

There was a steady leak of rainwater falling from the ceiling onto her face, she didn't wake up.

• Add "but"

• Semicolon

• Two sentences

Poll

Last one:

The score was tied, Mia was the team's best chance at scoring a goal.

• Add "and"

• Semicolon

• Two sentences