How to Correct a Comma Splice

The English language has many rules and exceptions, and a comma splice is one of the most common errors that writers make. However, if you recognize independent clauses, you'll be able to recognize your comma splice errors and correct them.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Recognize independent clauses so you can identify comma splices. An independent clause is a clause that can stand on its own as a sentence. If you separate two independent clauses, or phrases that can stand on their own as sentences, with a comma, you create a comma splice. The following sentence contains a comma splice because both of the clauses are independent: "She slept heavily, no one could wake her."

2. Replace the comma with a period if you want to separate the two ideas. For example: "She slept heavily. No one could wake her." When you use a period between independent clauses, you emphasize the separate nature of the two ideas.

3. Correct the comma splice with a semicolon if you want to show a closer relation between the two ideas, but still have each one retain independence. For example: "She slept heavily; no one could wake her." A semicolon between independent clauses shows your readers that the two ideas are related to one another, creating less emphasis on each individual idea than the period does.

4. Connect the clauses with a coordinating conjunction to show that one idea leads to another, or is somehow directly dependent on it. For example: "She slept heavily, so no one could wake her." When you use a coordinating conjunction, readers can see the direct relationship between the two ideas.

5. Revise one of the clauses so it's a subordinate rather than independent clause. A subordinate clause depends upon the independent clause to give it meaning. For example: "Because she slept heavily, no one could wake her." The addition of "because" creates a link between the two clauses.

6. Restructure the sentence if the other corrections don't create the effect you want. Use the same ideas, but present them in different ways until the shade of meaning comes through. For example: "She slept so heavily that no one could wake her."

Tips & Warnings

• When you use a period between short independent clauses, you give each idea more emphasis.
• If you correct a comma splice with a period, you may need to use a transition word or phrase in your second sentence to better connect your ideas.
• You can use a conjunctive adverb, such as "however" or "therefore," after a semicolon to create a transition between the ideas.
• The seven coordinating conjunctions are "for," "and," "nor," "but," "or," "yet" and "so."

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