Comma Splices

Front

What is a comma splice?

Back

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

Front

Identify a comma splice in the following sentence: 'The trail was steep and very rocky, nevertheless, every one of the hikers reached the top.'

Back

The comma before 'nevertheless' incorrectly joins two independent clauses.

Front

Identify a comma splice in the following sentence: 'Jarod had an interview with a television company, I might get a job as his assistant.'

Back

The comma incorrectly joins two independent clauses.

Front

Identify a comma splice in the following sentence: 'The collar on this shirt is small, this shirt will not fit a person with a large neck.'

Back

The comma incorrectly joins two independent clauses.

Front

Is the following sentence a comma splice? 'Even after the car was tuned, it still was difficult to start in the mornings.'

Back

No, this sentence is correct as it contains a dependent clause followed by an independent clause.

Front

Identify a comma splice in the following sentence: 'Baking bread requires time, patience, and practice, these ingredients cannot be bought or borrowed.'

Back

The comma incorrectly joins two independent clauses.

Front

What is a coordinating conjunction?

Back

A coordinating conjunction is a word that connects two independent clauses, such as 'and', 'but', 'or', 'nor', 'for', 'so', and 'yet'.

Front

How can you fix a comma splice?

Back

You can fix a comma splice by adding a coordinating conjunction, changing the comma to a semicolon, or making one of the clauses dependent.

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence because it expresses a complete thought.

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause is a group of words that cannot stand alone as a sentence because it does not express a complete thought.