Got a Comma Splice? Stop and Fix It…Here’s How

by | Oct 29, 2024 | Business Writing Skills

stop sign

OK, I admit it. I couldn’t have described a comma splice a month ago. I knew there was a mistake that needed fixing when I saw one, but I didn’t know what it was called. Now I do because I took copyediting classes from ACES.

Let’s save you from that same embarrassment, shall we?

A comma splice happens when you have two sentences running together as one. In grammar speak, it’s when you have to independent clauses together as one sentence. But I think it’s easier to understand if I say it’s two sentences.

If what comes before the comma and what comes after the comma are both complete sentences, you have a comma splice.

Let’s go back to a sentence you just read and write it with a comma splice by removing the word but:

“I knew there was a mistake that needed fixing, I didn’t know what it was called.”

Both parts of this sentence can be a sentence on their own, right?

“I knew there was a mistake that needed fixing.”

And…

“I didn’t know what it was called.”

I can easily fix this comma splice in one of three ways:

  • Add the word but so it reads “I knew there was a mistake that needed fixing, but I didn’t know what it was called.”
  • Remove the comma and insert a period: “I knew there was a mistake that needed fixing. I didn’t know what it was called.”
  • Using a semicolon instead of a comma: “I knew there was a mistake that needed fixing; I didn’t know what it was called.”

And now you too can recognize a comma splice and fix it! Based on what I’m seeing with AI and ChatGPT so far, this will be a mistake you need to be able to recognize. I’ve already had a newsletter subscriber argue with me about a comma splice because his AI told him a phrase was an independent clause (meaning a sentence on its own) and it wasn’t.

As more companies, marketers and writers turn to AI to be more productive, we as the writers and editors who care need to make sure the writing is still correct.

And if you need more punctuation tips to help you spot those mistakes, get the free punctuation ebook. 

 

Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/red-stop-sign-39080/

Sharon Ernst is a freelance editor and writer at www.weknowwords.com, a teacher and coach at www.betterfasterwriter.com. And a farmer and planet saver at www.literalroadfarm.com.