When you join two independent clauses with a comma and no conjunction Its called a comma splice?

Comma splice definition: A comma splice is a term for a grammatical error that occurs when two main clauses are joined with only a comma.

What is a Comma Splice?

A comma splice is a grammatical error and a misuse of the comma. It occurs when two main (or independent) clauses are incorrectly combined using only a comma.

Two independent clauses cannot be joined without a proper conjunction or without proper punctuation.

Comma Splice Examples

• We went to the store, we bought apples.
  • This example has two independent clauses, one on each side of the comma. This sentence needs a comma with a conjunction or a semicolon to be grammatically correct.

• The cat needs food, he is hungry.
  • Again, this example has two independent clauses. In order to be grammatically correct, this sentence needs to be split into two or a conjunction needs to be added.

A comma splice also creates a run-on sentence.

How to Fix a Comma Splice

Let’s use the above example to show how to fix comma splices.

How to Fix a Comma Splice Sentence:

There are three ways to fix a comma splice.

1. Create two independent clauses.
   1. Incorrect: We went to the store, we bought apples.
   2. Correct: We went to the store. We bought apples.

1. Change the comma to a semicolon.
   1. Incorrect: We went to the store, we bought apples.
   2. Correct: We went to the store; we bought apples.

1. Leave the comma and add a conjunction.
   1. Incorrect: We went to the store, we bought apples.
   2. Correct: We went to the store, and we bought apples.
      1. This kind of conjunction is known as a coordination conjunction.

NOTE: Only use a semicolon if the sentences are of equal length and of equal importance.

Other Types of Run-Ons

1.) Comma Splice

As we have gone over in this article, a comma splice is one type of run-on sentence. Other errors can create run-on sentences, as well.

2.) Joining sentences with however, moreover, etc.

When joining main clauses with one of the above words, the clauses must be separated into two sentences or a semicolon must be used.

• Incorrect: We went to the store, however, we could not find apples.
• Correct: We went to the store; however, we could not find apples.
• Correct: We went the store. However, we could not find apples.

3.) Fused Sentences

What is a fused sentence? A fused sentence is a sentence that contains two main clauses but lacks a punctuation mark or a conjunction to join them.

• Incorrect: We went to the store we bought apples.
• Correct: We went to the store; we bought apples.
• Correct: We went the store, and we bought apples.
• Correct: We went to the store. We bought apples.

How to Avoid Run-ons, Comma splices

Long sentences might actually be beautifully written. Sentences with subordinate clauses often lend themselves to lengthier structures. They are not run-on sentences because they have a dependent clause—they may even have more than one dependent clause. However, they only contain one independent clause.

In order to avoid grammatical errors such as run-on sentences (including comma splices), a writer first has to know how to properly punctuate complete sentences. This is easier said than done.

Foremost, a writer should not join two independent clauses unless he is sure he is doing so correctly.

Summary: What’s a Comma Splice?

Define comma splice: the definition of comma splice is two or more independent clauses joined solely by a comma.

In summary, a comma splice:

• is incorrect grammar
• a type of run-on sentence
• must be corrected in professional writing

RUN-ON SENTENCES AND COMMA SPLICES

Run-on sentences can be divided into two types. The first occurs when a writer puts no mark of punctuation and no coordinating conjunction between independent clauses. The second is called a comma splice, which occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined by just a comma and no coordinating conjunction.

Example of a run-on sentence:

The flowers are beautiful they brighten the room. (Incorrect)

Example of a comma splice:

The flowers are beautiful, they brighten the room. (Incorrect)

Examples of correct alternatives:

The flowers are beautiful. They brighten the room.The flowers are beautiful; they brighten the room.The flowers are beautiful, and they brighten the room.

The flowers are beautiful because they brighten the room.

A run-on sentence is not defined by its length! The fact that a sentence is very long does not automatically make it a run-on sentence. As you will see, the sentence structure and use of punctuation determine whether a sentence is a run-on.

In order to better understand run-on sentences and comma splices, it is important to review the basics of writing a grammatically correct simple sentence:

A sentence can be complete and correct with one basic independent clause made up of one subject plus its corresponding predicate. To demonstrate the basic structure of a simple sentence, find the noun that forms the subject and divide it from the verb.

By dividing the noun and verb, we can add modifiers to a simple sentence and still see the two basic parts, the subject and the predicate.

When looking at the structure of an independent clause, it is helpful to think of all elements of the subject separately from all elements of the predicate. Together the subject and predicate form the two basic and separate parts of each clause.

If the independent clause forms a complete thought, a period at the end demonstrates that the sentence is complete. The period means STOP. The sentence has ended, and a new sentence will begin.

Run-ons and comma splices occur when more than one subject/predicate pair exists in the sentence. When one subject/predicate pair is followed by an additional subject/predicate pair within one sentence (forming separate independent clauses), they need to be separated (or joined) according to very specific rules of punctuation and grammar.

Look at the following example of a run-on sentence:

The kind man studied hard his wife read a book. (Incorrect)

If we divide the sentence into subject/predicate pairs (each an independent clause), we see that two independent clauses exist, one following the other:

Without the correct separation, the two independent clauses written together form a run-on sentence. Once you can identify a run-on sentence by its incorrect structure, it is not hard to find a way to correct it.

When two independent clauses appear in one sentence, they must be joined (or separated) in one of four ways:

1. The two clauses can be made into two separate sentences by adding a period.

2. The two clauses can be joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (comma plus: and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet).

3. The two clauses can be joined by a semicolon.

4. The two clauses can be rewritten by adding, changing, rearranging, or deleting words. The simplest way to accomplish this is to add a subordinating conjunction between the clauses.

Notice that joining the independent clauses by a comma alone is NOT a choice. When two independent clauses are joined by only a comma, this error is called a comma splice.

The table below demonstrates the four correct options. When two independent clauses appear in a sentence, try to imagine a middle column in which only four possibilities exist to join the two clauses:

Please note again that in the above examples a comma alone is NOT one of the correct options.

The kind man studied hard, his wife read a book. (Incorrect)

A comma alone between two independent clauses creates an incorrect comma splice.

Summary (Including Related Grammar Rules)

1. An independent clause contains one subject/predicate pair and expresses a complete thought.

Music makes my life worth living.

2. A simple sentence is made up of only one independent clause:

Music makes my life worth living.

3. A run-on sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses that are not joined correctly or which should be made into separate sentences. A run-on sentence is defined by its grammatical structure, not its length.

Incorrect: My favorite band is in town they are performing now.
Correct: My favorite band is in town. They are performing now.
Correct: My favorite band is in town, and they are performing now.

4. A comma splice is the incorrect use of a comma to join two independent clauses.

Incorrect: I love classical music, it makes me feel joyful.
Correct: I love classical music because it makes me feel joyful.
Correct: I love classical music; it makes me feel joyful.

5. A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses that are correctly joined by a comma plus a coordinating conjunction or by a semicolon:

Music means a lot to me, and certain songs bring wonderful memories to mind.

Music means a lot to me; certain songs bring wonderful memories to mind.

6. A comma plus a coordinating conjunction can connect independent clauses correctly. There are seven coordinating conjunctions (sometimes remembered by the acronym "fanboys"):

for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

7. A complex sentence contains one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. The dependent clause begins with a subordinating conjunction:

I always think of summer whenever they play that song.

8. A subordinating conjunction connects a dependent clause to an independent clause. The dependent clause cannot stand alone; it requires attachment to an independent clause in order to express the complete meaning of the sentence. The following are examples of some of the most common subordinating conjunctions:

after, although, as, as if, because, before, even though, if, in order that, rather than, since, so that, than, that, though, unless, until, when, whenever, where, wherever, whether, while

For more information, please see the following TIP Sheets:

Independent and Dependent Clauses: Coordination and Subordination
Sentence Type and Purpose