Comma Splice | Examples, Definition & Rules
A comma splice is a grammatical error that occurs when two independent clauses are incorrectly joined using a comma. A clause is independent if it contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.
You can correct a comma splice in the following ways:
- Add a coordinating conjunction (e.g., “and”) or a subordinating conjunction (e.g., “because”) to clarify the relationship between the two clauses
- Use a period (.) instead of the comma. This creates two separate sentences
- Use a semicolon (;) instead of the comma. This indicates that the two clauses are closely related
| Examples: Comma splice | Examples: Comma splice correction |
|---|---|
| Eva is fast, Ken is faster. | Eva is fast, but Ken is faster. |
| You’re a talented musician, you should be proud. | You’re a talented musician. You should be proud. |
| I work from home, I don’t work from the office. | I work from home; I don’t work from the office. |
You can check for this and other mistakes using the QuillBot Grammar Checker.
What is a comma splice?
A comma splice is a grammatical mistake that occurs when two independent clauses are connected using a comma without a conjunction. Comma splices can impact the flow and clarity of your writing.
You can fix a comma splice by adding a conjunction or by replacing the comma with a period or semicolon.
How to fix a comma splice by adding a conjunction
You can correct a comma splice by adding a coordinating or subordinating conjunction to one of the clauses. When you do this, it’s important not to remove the comma.
Adding a coordinating conjunction
You can keep the two clauses in a single sentence by adding a coordinating conjunction like “and,” “but,” or “so” directly after the comma. This helps to clarify the relationship between the two clauses.
| Coordinating conjunction | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| And | Express a connection | It’s late, and I’m tired. |
| But | Indicate a contrast | Julio owns a copy of that book, but he can’t find it. |
| So | Introduce a consequence | That bar was closed, so we went to a different one. |
To learn more about using commas with coordinating conjunctions, you can read our articles on when to use commas before or after “and” and commas before “or.”
Adding a subordinating conjunction
If you want to keep the two clauses in a single sentence, you can add a subordinating conjunction (e.g., “although,” “because,” “while”) to one of the clauses. This places an emphasis on the clause without the conjunction. It also turns the clause with the conjunction into a dependent clause.
| Subordinating conjunction | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Although | Express a contrast | Although John studied all night, he still didn’t pass the exam. |
| Because | Introduce a consequence or outcome | I didn’t go to the party because I had to work. |
| While | To mean “during the time that” | While Alicia was on the bus, she listened to an audiobook. |
Conjunctive adverbs
Conjunctive adverbs (e.g., “however,” “moreover,” “thus,” “besides”) are used to connect two clauses and to clarify the relationship between them. They do this by modifying the first clause using the second.
Conjunctive adverbs are generally used at the beginning of a clause or sentence, and they are followed by a comma.
A comma splice can occur when a conjunctive adverb is incorrectly used as a coordinating conjunction. You can fix this by using a period or semicolon instead of a comma. In some instances, you can replace the conjunctive adverb with a coordinating conjunction.
- I’d love to go to the cinema, however I’m busy tonight.
- I’d love to go to the cinema; however, I’m busy tonight.
- I’d love to go to the cinema. However, I’m busy tonight.
- I’d love to go to the cinema, but I’m busy tonight.
How to fix a comma splice using a period
You can correct a comma splice by replacing the comma with a period. This creates two separate sentences and is especially effective when there isn’t a strong connection between the two clauses.
- Joan works in a restaurant, she enjoys writing poetry.
- Joan works in a restaurant. She enjoys writing poetry.
How to fix a comma splice using a semicolon
You can fix a comma splice by replacing the comma with a semicolon when there is a clear sequential or logical connection between the two independent clauses. A semicolon indicates a close connection between the two parts of the sentence.
- It started raining, Petra opened her umbrella.
- It started raining; Petra opened her umbrella.
Is a comma splice ever acceptable?
Comma splices should be avoided in professional communication and academic writing. However, they are sometimes used in informal contexts like social media posts, text messaging, and emails.
Comma splices are also sometimes used in creative writing as a rhetorical device called asyndeton. For example, they are often used to indicate the fast pace of a character’s thoughts or speech or to suggest that the independent parts of a sentence form a thematic or conceptual whole.
Worksheet: Comma splice examples
Test your knowledge of comma splices with the worksheet below. Try to determine which sentences contain a comma splice.
Frequently asked questions about comma splices
- Do you use a comma or semicolon before however?
-
Both are possible when however is used as a conjunctive adverb to mean “but.”
We put a semicolon before however when it is showing contrast between two independent clauses (e.g., “We have not reached our goal; however, we are only at the beginning of our journey”).
We put a comma before however when it is used at the beginning or at the end of a sentence or clause (e.g. “We are, however, only at the beginning,” “We are only at the beginning, however”).
- What is the opposite of asyndeton?
-
The opposite of asyndeton is polysyndeton. It is the repeated use of conjunctions like “and,” “or,” “but,” etc., in close succession, particularly where they are not necessary. Unlike asyndeton, which omits conjunctions, polysyndeton adds conjunctions for effect (e.g., “We had sandwiches and chips and fruit and cookies and soda for our picnic”).
