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What Is A Comma Splice And How Do You Fix It?

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The simplest way to fix a comma splice is to separate the two improperly joined sentences. Simply replace the comma with a period . The two sentences may sound a bit abrupt placed one after the other, but at least they will be grammatical: I completed my essay.

How do you fix a comma splice sentence?

  1. Add a period and a capital letter. Add a period and a capital letter to separate the sentences. ...
  2. Add a comma and a coordinating conjunction. Add a comma and a coordinating conjunction. ...
  3. Add a semicolon. ...
  4. Add a “transitional word” ...
  5. Add a subordinating conjunction.

What is an example of a comma splice?

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined with just a comma. Example of a comma splice: Participants could leave the study at any time, they needed to indicate their preference . Sentence 1: Participants could leave the study at any time.

What are four ways to fix a comma splice error?

  1. Add a coordinating conjunction after the comma. ...
  2. Replace the comma with a period or semicolon. ...
  3. Make one of the clauses dependent by adding a subordinating conjunction (although, because, while) ...
  4. Add a participle.

What is a comma splice and why is it incorrect?

Because “when” is added to the clause, it is no longer a complete sentence on its own. This dependent clause would need to be connected to another clause to make it a complete sentence. It is incorrect to join two independent clauses with a comma . This error is called a comma splice.

What is the difference between comma splice and run-on sentence?

3. A run-on sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses that are not joined correctly or which should be made into separate sentences. ... A comma splice is the incorrect use of a comma to join two independent clauses .

How do you fix a comma?

The simplest way to fix a comma splice is to separate the two improperly joined sentences . Simply replace the comma with a period. The two sentences may sound a bit abrupt placed one after the other, but at least they will be grammatical: I completed my essay.

How do you fix run on sentences?

  1. Separate the two clauses with a period.
  2. Separate the clauses with a semi-colon.
  3. Use a comma with a coordinating conjunction. (e.g. and, but, or, for, yet, nor, so) to separate the clauses.
  4. Use a subordinating conjunction.

How do you get rid of a comma splice?

There are three ways to fix a comma splice. You can add a conjunction, change the comma to a semicolon , or make each independent clause its own sentence.

What is it called when you dont use commas?

It’s called a comma splice (or comma fault, comma blunder, comma error, or don’t do that with a comma). (We made up that last one, sorry.) ... Comma splices are a subspecies of run-on sentence; a run-on sentence is when two independent clauses are joined without the correct conjunction or punctuation.

What are the three types of run on sentences?

The three types of run-on sentences are comma splices, fused sentences, and polysyndetons . First, comma splices occur when a comma joins two independent clauses instead of a semicolon. Secondly, fused sentences crash two independent clauses together without any punctuation.

Where do you put commas?

  • USE A COMMA TO SEPARATE INDEPENDENT CLAUSES. ...
  • USE A COMMA AFTER AN INTRODUCTORY CLAUSE OR PHRASE. ...
  • USE A COMMA BETWEEN ALL ITEMS IN A SERIES. ...
  • USE COMMAS TO SET OFF NONRESTRICTIVE CLAUSES. ...
  • USE A COMMA TO SET OFF APPOSITIVES.

Why are run on sentences bad?

Run-on sentences are a problem because they make it difficult to tell where one sentence ends and the next one begins . As you can see in the picture below, writing without periods is like speaking very fast without stopping. Both are difficult to understand! That’s why it’s so important to fix run-ons in your writing.

How do you break up a long sentence?

Separate the clauses with a period . This is the strongest method of separating sentences. You can join the clauses with a semicolon if you want to separate the two sentences but still keep their ideas close together.

How can I fix a sentence?

Anytime a sentence contains a fragment, corrections must be made. There are three different ways to correct it: add a subject, add a predicate, or attach the fragment to a nearby sentence .

Edited and fact-checked by the FixAnswer editorial team.
Amira Khan

Amira writes about philosophy and religion, exploring ethical questions, spiritual practices, and the world's diverse belief systems.