Comma Splice - Moeller CP2 Senior English

20 Most-Common Errors #6: Comma Splice
CP2 Senior English
Resource taken from Bedford / St. Martin The Everyday Writer website:
http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/everyday_writer/20errors/8.html
A comma splice… occurs when only a comma separates independent clauses. This creates a run-on sentence.
A comma… is not a strong enough punctuation mark to separate two independent clauses by itself.
You can fix a comma splice in many ways:
1. Add an appropriate coordinating conjunction (REMEMBER: FANBOYS)
EXAMPLE: Tom read the novel, but his friend saw the movie.
2. Replace the comma with a semicolon
EXAMPLE: Tom read the novel; his friend saw the movie
3. Change the punctuation and add an appropriate conjunctive adverb
SOME CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS: also, however, otherwise, consequently, indeed, similarly, finally,
likewise, then, furthermore, moreover, therefore, hence, nevertheless, thus, nonetheless
EXAMPLE: Tom read the novel; however, his friend saw the movie
4. Make two sentences.
EXAMPLE: Tom read the novel. His friend saw the movie.
Always remember: If you use them correctly, grammar and punctuation are intended to help you communicate
more clearly.
Go to the next page for practice!
Practice: Identifying Comma Splices

Identify the comma errors (especially comma splices) in each of the following sentences by marking CS above
comma splices and P-C above other comma errors; be sure to include new commas where they belong.
 If the comma doesn’t need to be changed, don’t write anything above it.
 Be sure to pay attention to past Common Errors comma rules!
Example:
In great detail Chomsky’s book outlines a pro-immigration stance, many Republicans don’t like it.
1. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but we have to be careful about etiquette, otherwise, civil dialogue is gone.
2. We had a great meal at the Cheesecake Factory, I ordered a burger, fries and a slice of pumpkin cheesecake and Lily ate
a steak, a salad and raspberry cheesecake.
3. After the game, Coach Rodenberg didn’t say much, however he did tell Matt that he won MVP for beating St. X.
Practice: Fixing Comma Splices


Each of the following sentences includes a comma splice.
Rewrite the sentence in the space below, fixing the error by using the method requested.
4. FIX BY ADDING A COORDINATING CONJUNCTION: Greg Jones won a Super Bowl with the New York
Giants, Shane Jones won a Big Ten Championship with MSU.
5. FIX BY CHANGING THE PUNCTUATION AND ADDING THE APPROPRIATE CONJUNCTIVE
ADVERB: Mr. Eble assigns homework every night, he’s not trying to ruin your life.
6. FIX BY REPLACING THE COMMA WITH A SEMICOLON: Jaret Leto won Best Supporting Actor for his role
in Dallas Buyers Club, Matthew McConaughy won Best Actor.
For more help and practice, visit
 http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/nova/nova4.htm
 http://www.towson.edu/ows/SelfTeachingUnits/CommaSplicesFusedSentecesExercise1.aspx
 http://www.towson.edu/ows/SelfTeachingUnits/CommaSplicesFusedSentecesExercise2.aspx