Comma Splice

A comma splice error occurs when a lone comma is used to join two independent clauses (a group of words that make up a complete sentence). When you commit this common error, you have failed to recognize that you have joined two complete sentences without bringing the first to a final point or effectively connecting it to the next idea.

This error is a variation on the fused or run-on sentence, but the writer of the comma splice has at least recognized that the new "sentence" picks up a new thought, with a new subject and predicate. The comma that splices the two statements together is simply the wrong thing to do, because a comma alone does not give the reader the right signal.

Everything about the morning was perfect for moving forward, the Major  roused her troops with an early reveille.

Separate the two sentences by putting a period where the comma splice occurred.

Everything about the morning was perfect for moving forward. The Major  roused her troops with an early reveille.

A fit way to join two related sentences that have been spliced together is to insert an and, but, so or like conjunction after the comma. This makes the sentence grammatically correct.

Everything about the morning was perfect for moving forward, so the Major roused her troops with an early reveille.

If appropriate to the sense you intend, use a word like Although, Because, or Since to subordinate one of the clauses

Because everything about the morning was perfect for moving forward, the  Major roused her troops with an early reveille.

Another possible strategy is to use a linking word or phrase, preceded by a semicolon. This can be a stylish and effective way of remedying a comma splice error:

Everything about the morning was perfect for moving forward; accordingly,  the Major roused her troops with an early reveille.

Practice Exercises (12 questions)