Defining " COMMA SPLICE "

[AIM GMAT]

Definition: A comma splice is a comma that joins (splices) two independent clauses. A clause is a group of words that has a subject and a verb.

Example of an Independent Clause: Peter parker ate cookies.

This is a clause.Peter parker is the subject, and ate is the verb. This clause is "independent" because it can stand alone as a sentence. Now let's take another independent clause.

Another Independent Clause: Mary Jane dislikes Peter Parker.

If you take two independent clauses and join them with a comma, you have a comma splice


Comma Splice: Peter parker ate cookies,Mary Jane dislikes Peter Parker.

How Do You Fix a Comma Splice?
1] Make two sentences instead of one: Peter parker ate cookies. Mary Jane dislikes Peter Parker.

2] Use a semicolon (;). Peter parker ate cookies; Mary Jane dislikes Peter Parker.

3] Use a subordinating conjunction (because, when, since, although,...). Because Peter parker ate cookies, Mary Jane dislikes Peter Parker.

4] Use a semicolon plus a conjunctive adverb (therefore, then, however,...). Peter parker ate cookies; therefore, Mary Jane dislikes Peter Parker.

5] Use a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) - fanboys - after the comma. Peter parker ate cookies, so Mary Jane dislikes Peter Parker.

[Jim@Grockit]

Definition: A comma splice is a comma that joins (splices) two independent clauses. A clause is a group of words that has a subject and a verb.

Also note that the comma splice is sometimes called the run-on sentence. People sometimes mistakenly label long, grammatically-correct sentences as run-ons. Sentences that are long and challenging (but grammatically-correct) are called where did you learn how to write or how about you go back and edit that or (in contexts relevant to this website) GMAT I hate you so much sometimes.