In this post, we learn what a comma splice is, and how to use it in English. There is a video lesson attached at the end; you can watch it directly if you prefer videos to articles.
What is a comma splice in English?
Comma splice definition: A comma splice in English is a grammatical mistake that occurs when you add two sentences using a comma. It is type of a run-on sentence. A comma splice in English is a result of adding two independent clauses together using a comma.
It is one of the most common mistakes that people, both native and non-native English speakers, make.
This is for office use, you can’t use it.
This is an amalgamation of two sentences:
- This is for office use.
- You can’t use it.
In English, if you want to add independent clauses together, there are a few ways to do that. Using a comma to do so results in an error called a run-on sentence. A comma is not strong enough to add sentences; it can add words and phrases though.
Examples of comma splices in English
- I can’t marry her, she will ruin my life.
- Last night, we watched a movie, it was dark and scary.
- You are an amazing dancer, you will be a superstar soon.
- This is not just a job, this is everything to me.
- I won’t be going to the dance class, it is extremely boring.
- I can’t eat it, you should not wait for me and try it.
- It’s getting late now, you must leave.
- My father will never eat eggs, it is a life, according to him.
Let’s talk about the solution of a comma splice in English. Let’s talk about the different ways to fix it.
How to fix a comma splice in English?
There are 5 ways to fix a comma splice in English. Let’s master them one by one.
Correction #1: Using a period
The easiest way to fix a comma splice is to separate the sentences (independent clauses) using a period.
Comma splice sentence: I can’t marry her, she will ruin my life.
Correction: I can’t marry her. She will ruin my life.
Comma splice sentence: Last night, we watched a movie, it was dark and scary.
Correction: Last night, we watched a movie. It was dark and scary.
Correction #2: Using a semicolon
Another way to fix a comma splice and to add two or more sentences is to use a semicolon. But remember that a semicolon is preferred more to use or should be used when both the sentences are connected to each other in some ways.
Comma splice sentence: You are an amazing dancer, you will be a superstar soon.
Correction: You are an amazing dancer; you will be a superstar soon.
(Notice that both sentences are related to each other and focusing on one thing: dancing.)
Comma splice sentence: I won’t be going to the dance class, it is extremely boring.
Correction: I won’t be going to the dance class; it is extremely boring.
(These two sentences are connected to each other too. And using a semicolon to bring them together is a great use of grammar. But don’t use a colon when the sentences are not connected with each other.)
Here’s an example of an incorrect use of a semicolon:
My father works with an insurance company; my best friend is Mangesh.
These sentences have no connection with each other, and they shouldn’t be brought together using a semicolon.
Correction #3: Using a comma and a coordinating conjunction
This is a great way to add sentences together. The coordinating conjunction shows what kind of relation the sentences have with each other.
Coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS)
Comma splice sentence: I can’t eat it, you should not wait for me and try it.
Correction: I can’t eat it, but you should not wait for me and try it.
Correction: I can’t eat it, and you should not wait for me and try it.
Comma splice sentence: It’s getting late now, you must leave.
Correction: It’s getting late now, so you must leave.
Correction: You must leave, for it’s getting late now.
Correction #4: Using a colon
This is another way to fix a comma splice in English. But make sure you use a colon to add two sentences when the second sentence explains, justifies, or concludes the first one, or when the focus is simply on the second sentence.
Comma splice sentence: This is not just a job, this is everything to me.
Correction: This is not just a job: this is everything to me.
(Here, the focus is on the second sentence. It concludes the first sentence.)
Comma splice sentence: My father will never eat eggs, it is a life, according to him.
Correction: My father will never eat eggs: it is a life, according to him.
(In the sentence, the second sentence explains the first one, and we can, rightfully, use a colon to bring them together.)
Correction #5: Using a subordinating conjunction
Using a subordinating conjunction before an independent clause makes it a dependent clause. But it solves our problem. Let’s find out HOW.
Subordinating conjunctions: as, because, since, unless, as, until, when, where, why, how, if etc.
Comma splice sentence: I can’t marry her, she will ruin my life.
Correction: I can’t marry her because she will ruin my life.
NOTE: if the dependent clause comes before the independent clause, we need to use a comma after it.
Correction: Because she will ruin my life, I can’t marry her.
Comma splice sentence: I won’t be going to the dance class, it is extremely boring.
Correction: I won’t be going to the dance class, it is extremely boring.
Comma splice sentences | Corrections |
I can’t marry her, she will ruin my life. | I can’t marry her. She will ruin my life. I can’t marry her; she will ruin my life. I can’t marry her, for she will ruin my life. I can’t marry her because she will ruin my life. I can’t marry her: she will ruin my life. |
Last night, we watched a movie, it was dark and scary. | Last night, we watched a movie. It was dark and scary. Last night, we watched a movie; it was dark and scary. Last night, we watched a movie, and it was dark and scary. |
You are an amazing dancer, you will be a superstar soon. | You are an amazing dancer. You will be a superstar soon. You are an amazing dancer; you will be a superstar soon. You are an amazing dancer, and you will be a superstar soon. You will be a superstar soon as you are an amazing dancer. You will be a superstar soon: you are an amazing dancer. |
This is not just a job, this is everything to me. | This is not just a job. This is everything to me. This is not just a job; this is everything to me. This is not just a job: this is everything to me. |
I won’t be going to the dance class, it is extremely boring. | I won’t be going to the dance class. It is extremely boring. I won’t be going to the dance class; it is extremely boring. I won’t be going to the dance class: it is extremely boring. I won’t be going to the dance class, for it is extremely boring. I won’t be going to the dance class as it is extremely boring. |
I can’t eat it, you should not wait for me and try it. | I can’t eat it. You should not wait for me and try it. I can’t eat it; you should not wait for me and try it. I can’t eat it, so you should not wait for me and try it. You should not wait for me and try it because I can’t eat it. |
It’s getting late now, you must leave. | It’s getting late now. You must leave. It’s getting late now; you must leave. It’s getting late now: you must leave. It’s getting late now, and you must leave. It’s getting late now, so you must leave. You must leave because it is getting late. |
My father will never eat eggs, it is a life, according to him. | My father will never eat eggs. It is a life, according to him. My father will never eat eggs; it is a life, according to him. My father will never eat eggs: it is a life, according to him. My father will never eat eggs as it is a life, according to him. |
Test how much you have understood!
Find the run-on sentences (comma splice) in the examples below and correct:
- If you don’t love what you do, quit it.
- After we finished the match, we went to a party.
- I don’t hate her, I just don’t like her attitude.
- Don’t tell them that you are leaving, they will panic.
- Jane could have won the match, she just wasn’t feeling good.
Now, we know what a comma splice is. Feel free to share your question, doubt, or feedback in the comment section, and also, share the post with the people that need it.
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Related YouTube lessons:
- Use of commas in English
- How to use a semicolon and a colon in English?
- Subordinating conjunctions in English
- Coordinating conjunctions in English
- What is a Run-on sentence?