​Objectives

​At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

​

• ​Recall fragments and run-ons

• ​Identify comma splices

• ​Correct errors

​What is a comma splice?

• A comma splice occurs when you use a comma to join two complete sentences without placing an appropriate joining word between them.​

• ​The comma just isn't strong enough to do the job of making one grammatical sentence out of two.

I completed my essay, I have not submitted it.​

​

​This is a comma splice because the comma is between two independent clauses without a FANBOY.

​Corrected: I completed my essay, but I have not submitted it. 

​Can you tell the difference between the errors?

​Now that we've identified our errors, let's see how to correct comma splices

​Fixing Comma Splices

• ​Solution 1: Use a period.

• ​Solution 2: Use a semi-colon.

• ​Solution 3: Use a coordinating conjunction.

• ​Solution 4: Use a subordinating conjunction.

​Solution One: Use a Period

​

​

❌​ I completed my essay, I have not submitted it.​

​

✅​ I completed my essay. I have submitted it.

​

​

​Now, you try....

​Solution Two: Use a Semi-colon

​

​

​❌​ I completed my essay, I have not submitted it.

​

✅ I have completed my essay; I have not submitted it. ​

​

​

​

​Now, you try...

​Solution Three: Use a coordinating conjunction

​

​

​❌​ I completed my essay, I have not submitted it.​

​

​✅ I completed my essay, but I have not submitted it.

​

​

​

​Now, you try...

​Solution Four: Use a subordinating conjunction

​

❌​ I completed my essay, I have not submitted it.​

​

​✅ Although I completed my essay, I have not submitted it.

​✅ I completed my essay, although I have not submitted it.

​

​COMMON CONJUNCTIONS

​while, although, because, if, since, unless, whether, when, why, as, before, after, if, whether, that, once

​To summarize:

• ​A comma splice occurs when you use a comma to join two complete sentences without placing an appropriate joining word between them.​

• ​Comma splices can be fixed using any four solutions:

  • ​​Solution 1: Use a period.

  • ​Solution 2: Use a semi-colon.

  • ​Solution 3: Use a coordinating conjunction.

  • ​Solution 4: Use a subordinating conjunction.

• ​Note: Common subordinating conjunctions are, but limited to: while, although, because, if, since, unless, whether, when, why, as, before, after, if, whether, that, once

​Resources:

https://www.uc.utoronto.ca/comma-splices​

https://www.lonestar.edu/departments/learningcenter/sentence_fragments_and_run.pdf​