Comma Splice

COMMA SPLICE
see LBCH 5th ed. pp. 231ff [4th ed. 232ff]

For additional help with the comma splice,
check out the comma-splice handouts (PDF-format)
at the YSU Writing Center web site.

A comma splice occurs when you use a comma all by itself
to link together two independent clauses.
[an independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence]

Here are five common methods to repair a comma splice. Note that not every method works with every splice.

1) Change the comma to a period (always works, but usually not the best choice stylistically).

(splice) It was snowing, the roads were getting slick.
(fixed) It was snowing. The roads were getting slick.

2) Change the comma to a semi-colon if the ideas of the two clauses are closely related or if the second clause starts with a conjunctive adverb .

(splice) Dieting is very popular in America, however it can be dangerous.
(fixed) Dieting is very popular in America; however, it can be dangerous.

3) Add a coordinating conjunction after the comma.

(splice) Halloween is coming, children are getting excited.
(fixed) Halloween is coming, and children are getting excited.

4) Change one of the independent clauses to a dependent clause by adding a subordinating conjunction at the front of it

(splice) John's computer is unreliable, it locks up in the middle of documents.
(fixed)   John's computer is unreliable because it locks up in the middle of documents.
        or   Because it locks up in the middle of documents, John's computer is unreliable.
                 [note that you need a comma after a dependent clause that begins a sentence]

5) change one clause to an "ing-phrase" (participial phrase). If the 'ing-phrase" starts the new sentence, put a comma after it.

(splice) She became a very good student, she studied hard and attended
             all her classes.
(fixed)   Studying hard and attending all her classes, she became a very
             good student.

Coordinating Conjunctions	Conjunctive Adverbs	Common Subordinating Conjunctions
and or for nor so but yet	consequently for example for instance furthermore hence henceforth however in addition in contrast	in fact indeed moreover nevertheless nonetheless on the other hand similarly then therefore thus	after although as long as because before especially if/when even though how if since though	unless until when where whereas whether while why The following relative pronouns also can be useful for combining two independent clauses into one sentence: that, who, which

Coordinating Conjunctions

Conjunctive Adverbs

Common Subordinating Conjunctions

and
or
for
nor
so
but
yet

consequently
for example
for instance
furthermore
hence
henceforth
however
in addition
in contrast

in fact
indeed
moreover
nevertheless
nonetheless
on the other hand
similarly
then
therefore
thus

after
although
as long as
because
before
especially if/when
even though
how
if
since
though

unless
until
when
where
whereas
whether
while
why

The following relative pronouns also can be useful for combining two independent clauses into one sentence:
that, who, which

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