Comma Splice
Shorthand: 鈥渃s鈥�
Separate independent clauses with a comma only when they are joined by a coordinating conjunction.
This is not as complicated as it sounds. A comma splice occurs when you use a comma without and, but, for, nor, or, so, or yet (these are the coordinating conjunctions) when joining two clauses. Grammar-checkers won't always catch comma splices; however, you can correct a comma splice by dividing the two clauses into separate sentences, by replacing the comma with a semicolon, by subordinating one of the clauses, or by adding a coordinating conjunction.
-
It snowed all night, none of the paths were plowed this morning.
Try two sentences: It snowed all night. None of the paths were plowed this morning. -
The students looked sleepier than usual, they had sat up most of the night studying for the exam.
Try a coordinating conjunction: The students looked sleepier than usual, for they had.... -
I have been proofreading this paper all day, I can no longer see my errors.
Try subordinating the first clause: Because I have been proofreading this paper all day, I can no longer.... -
She had eaten nothing but lettuce all week, however she still couldn’t fit into her black pants.
Try a semicolon: She had eaten nothing but lettuce all week; however, she still.... Note that however is a conjunctive adverb, not a coordinating conjunction.
See also Punctuation (“p”), Semicolon (“semi”), and Subordination (“su”), in this handbook. Refer also to Punctuation Patterns.
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