Comma Splices
Definition: Two sentences joined together with only a comma. That’s a comma splice.
Example: The rosy sun glimmered through the pines, day began.
Rule: Eliminate all comma splices. They are signs of thoughtless, messy writing, of a
writer too lazy to think about the connections between sentences. They are bad manners,
examples of writers not considering their readers.
Ways to Eliminate Comma Splices
1. Join with a semi-colon:
Example: The rosy sun glimmered through the pines; day began.
2. Join with a coordinating conjunction and a comma. The coordinating conjunctions
are these seven words: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so (FANBOYS).
Example: The rosy sun glimmered through the pines, and day began.
A comma always goes before a coordinating conjunction introducing an independent
clause.
3. Join with a subordinating conjunction. Here’s a partial list of subordinating
conjunctions. Any grammar book or grammar website will have more.
after, although, as, as soon as, because, before, even though, if, in case, now that, since,
though, unless, until, when, whenever, whether, whether or not, while.
Example: The rosy sun glimmered through the pines when day began.
or
When the rosy sun glimmered through the pines, day began.
How to use commas with subordinating conjunctions:
a. When the subordinated clause comes first, put a comma after that clause.
b. Do not put a comma between the clauses when the subordinated clause comes
second. Examples are above.
Independent clauses (clauses with no subordinating conjunction stuck to them) are
complete sentences.
Dependent clauses (clauses with subordinating conjunctions attached) are incomplete
sentences.
Dependent clause examples:
When the rosy sun glimmered through the pines. (Sentence fragment)
Although the rosy sun glimmered through the pines. (Sentence fragment)
4. Join with a conjunctive adverb. Here’s a partial list of conjunctive adverbs.
Any grammar book or grammar website will have more.
accordingly, also, besides, consequently, conversely, finally, furthermore, hence,
however, indeed, instead, likewise, meanwhile, moreover, nevertheless, next,
nonetheless, otherwise, similarly, still, subsequently, then, therefore, thus.
How to punctuate: A semi-colon goes before the conjunctive adverb, and a
comma goes after.
Example: The rosy sun glimmered through the pines; consequently, day began.
The rosy sun glimmered through the pines; finally, day began.
An independent clause beginning with a conjunctive adverb remains independent,
and so is a complete sentence.
Consequently, day began.
The above is complete sentence.