#  >> K-12 >> K-12 Basics

How to Get Rid of a Comma Splice

One of the most common punctuation marks, the comma is used to separate items in lists and to separate dependent clauses within a sentence. A comma splice occurs when a comma is used incorrectly to join two independent clauses, or clauses that can be full sentences on their own. The following is an example of a sentence containing a comma splice: "She was very tired, she went to bed early." Fortunately, there is more than one option for fixing any comma splice you may find in your writing.

Instructions

    • 1

      Replace the comma with a semicolon, which is meant to join two independent clauses. "She was very tired; she went to bed early."

    • 2

      Use a period to turn the two independent clauses into two sentences. "She was very tired. She went to bed early."

    • 3

      Add a coordinating conjunction after the comma. Coordinating conjunctions are words that can join two clauses. The seven coordinating conjunctions are "for," "and," "nor," "but," "or," "yet" and "so." Choose whichever of these words works best in your sentence. "She was very tired, so she went to bed early."

    • 4

      Include a subordinate conjunction in the sentence. Subordinate conjunctions are words such as "although," "because," "since," "while," "if," "whether" and "whereas." By adding one of these words to the sentence, one of the clauses becomes dependent upon the other and the comma is no longer incorrect. "Since she was very tired, she went to bed early."

EduJourney © www.0685.com All Rights Reserved