Punctuation – Comma

Splice

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 Punctuation – Comma Splice
A comma splice is when 2 main clauses are joined with only a comma.
‘Splice’ is another word for ‘join’, which fits the description above.
A comma splice results in run-on sentences.
There are several ways to fix this problem.
Not all comma splices are errors.

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 Comma Splice – Error Example
A comma splice is when 2 main clauses are not properly joined or separated.
‘Main clause’ is another way of saying ‘independent clause’.

Examples

➢We’ve run out of milk, we need to go shopping.

➢Tomorrow is a bank holiday, we still have to go to work.
➢My alarm clock didn’t go off, I didn’t have time for breakfast.

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 Comma Splice – Fix #1
The simplest fix is to use a full-stop and make 2 separate sentences.

➢We’ve run out of milk, we need to go shopping.

➢We’ve run out of milk. We need to go shopping.

➢Tomorrow is a bank holiday, we still have to go to work.

➢Tomorrow is a bank holiday. We still have to go to work.

➢My alarm clock didn’t go off, I didn’t have time for breakfast.
➢My alarm clock didn’t go off. I didn’t have time for breakfast.

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 Comma Splice – Fix #2
Another simple fix is to correctly use a semi-colon.

➢We’ve run out of milk, we need to go shopping.

➢We’ve run out of milk; we need to go shopping.

➢Tomorrow is a bank holiday, we still have to go to work.

➢Tomorrow is a bank holiday; we still have to go to work.

➢My alarm clock didn’t go off, I didn’t have time for breakfast.
➢My alarm clock didn’t go off; I didn’t have time for breakfast.

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 Comma Splice – Fix #3
Another option is to use comma, together with a coordinating conjunction.

➢We’ve run out of milk, we need to go shopping.

➢We’ve run out of milk, so we need to go shopping.

➢Tomorrow is a bank holiday, we still have to go to work.

➢Tomorrow is a bank holiday, but we still have to go to work.

➢My alarm clock didn’t go off, I didn’t have time for breakfast.
➢My alarm clock didn’t go off, and I didn’t have time for breakfast.

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 Comma Splice – Fix #4
The last option is make one of independent clause dependent, by adding an extra word or phrase.

➢We’ve run out of milk, we need to go shopping.

➢As we’ve run out of milk, we need to go shopping.

➢Tomorrow is a bank holiday, we still have to go to work.

➢Even though tomorrow is a bank holiday, we still have to go to work.

➢My alarm clock didn’t go off, I didn’t have time for breakfast.
➢Because my alarm clock didn’t go off, I didn’t have time for breakfast.

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 Comma Splice – Acceptable Usage
A comma splice isn’t always an error.
There are situations in which it is considered stylistically acceptable.

➢Very short statements

➢Contradictory statements
➢Tag questions

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 Comma Splice – Very Short Statements
Very short statements, especially those with the same subject, can make an acceptable use of
the comma splice.

Examples

➢I came, I saw, I conquered.

➢This is Peter, this is Jane.

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 Comma Splice – Contradictions
Short, contradictory statements are allowed to use a comma splice.

Examples

➢It’s not a fruit, it’s a vegetable.

➢It’s not raining, it’s snowing.
➢I’m not your cousin, I’m your uncle.

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 Comma Splice – Tag Questions
Tag questions are an acceptable use of the comma splice.
Please see the lesson on tag questions for more information.

Examples

➢That’s your car, isn’t it?

➢You don’t have a dog, do you?
➢We met at the cinema, didn’t we?

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