THE COMMA SPLICE

Simple ways to solve the number one comma error without scrolling Google for hours. 🙋‍♀️

Commas require balance and completeness. When one of these factors is missing, we end up with a grammatical or stylistic mistake. Today I wanted to talk to you about a common error in comma usage called a "comma splice."

First let's understand more about the role of the comma in your writing.

• Commas create flow by solving repetition issues and allowing for longer sentence structures.

• Commas show the relationship between your ideas with the addition of a conjunction.

Many writers are able to sense which of their ideas are connected, and so choose to join them with a comma rather than separate them with a period. The problem occurs when the comma is used to join complete sentences together without any help from a coordinating conjunction. Coordinating conjunctions are small joining words that indicate the relationship between sentences ( for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so). Without one of these words, the comma is not strong or clear enough to join two complete ideas.

Here's an example:

✖Koala bears are not bears, they are marsupials.

Both parts of this sentence (before and after the comma) contain a subject and a verb. They could stand alone and still make sense.

In this case, the comma is not enough to connect them. This is called a comma splice.

There are three ways to correct a comma splice:

✅#1 We could use a period to separate them.

Koala bears are not bears. They are marsupials.

✅#2 As the ideas in these sentences are more connected than that, we could use a semi-colon. The semi-colon tells the reader that what comes next will explain or expand on what came before.

Koala bears are not bears; they are marsupials.

✅#3 We can keep the comma and add a small conjunction to describe the relationship between the sentences.

Koala bears are not bears, for they are marsupials.

Here is a longer example for you to practice:
Koala bears are native to Australia. They are not bears. They are marsupials. They do not have tails.

How could you make these sentences flow together more easily?

Actually, all three options could be of use here.

Koala bears are not bears; they are marsupials. They are native to Australia, and they do not have tails.

❗Notice that a semi-colon does not indicate what the connection is between the ideas. If you feel the relationship needs clarifying or emphasizing, choose to use a comma and an appropriate coordinating conjunction.

The following sentence would not work well as the relationship between the two ideas is not obvious:

• Koala bears are not bears; they are native to Australia.

As the semi-colon leave the reader waiting for a result or explanation of the first point, this sentence is confusing.

Essentially, the reader sees that koalas are not bears and waits to find out what they are, in that case. The semi-colon suggests that a surprise is coming which doesn’t arrive here.

When you know that you have two sentences that are related to one another, first check if they could stand alone. If so, they are independent clauses. You then have the choice between the three listed options to punctuate them correctly. Even if the ideas of meaning of two complete sentences is obviously linked, the comma does not join them.

▶Common questions:

So, how about this? There are two sentences joined by a comma with NO conjunction.

• If they want to participate in games, players must attend practices.

Here, the first part of the sentence is a dependent clause. This means that it relies on the second for its meaning.

• If they want to participate in games.

This sentence is not an independent clause as it cannot stand alone and make sense. A comma without a conjunction is sufficient in this case.

Do I need to use a comma with an introductory phrase? Is this correct?

In most cases, the answer is yes! Take a look at these examples:

• Hello, Mr. President.

• Wow, I didn’t know that!

Do I need to use a comma with “such as”?

This question is related to restrictive and non-restrictive clauses. This means that you need to decide whether the example part of the sentence is essential to the accuracy or meaning of the sentence that you want to convey.

If the specific examples aren’t essential to the accuracy of your sentence, then use a comma before such as and after your example if it is not at the very end of the sentence.

• Citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits, are high in vitamin C.

All citrus fruits are high in vitamin C. The examples here are extra detail.

• We like to plan low-cost vacations close to home, such as camping trips.

There are many kinds of low-cost vacations that we like to take. Camping trips is one example of many, so again, it counts as extra information and requires a comma.

If the examples are essential to the meaning of your sentence, omit the commas.

• Foods such as pizza and ice cream aren’t very good for you.

Not all foods are unhealthy so commas here would be misleading.

• This year we’d like to go on a plane trip to explore an island such as Crete.

Here, the example is crucial the accuracy of the sentence as it describe the type of island we would like to visit.

Are there times when we can break the rules for a comma splice?

Once you know the rules, they can be broken in a creative or artistic manner — just not in a formal document.

For example, the following repetition given by commas (without any accompanying conjunctions) allows for flow, balance, and impact.

• He came, he saw, he conquered.

Do you have any more questions that are not listed here? I’m always happy to hear from you!