Comma Splices

The Grammar Workshop Series

 Comma Splice Pre-Test
A Comma Splice is best defined as:

A) a comma that precedes a dependent clause

B) a comma that precedes a verb
C) a comma that connects two independent clauses
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

(answer on next slide)

 Comma Splice Pre-Test
A Comma Splice is best defined as:

A) a comma that precedes a dependent clause

B) a comma that precedes a verb
C) a comma that connects two independent clauses
D) all of the above
E) none of the above
What is a Comma Splice?

• A comma splice is a type of run on sentence.

• Typically, it occurs when two independent

clauses are joined together using only a comma
as punctuation between them.
What is a Comma Splice
• To avoid using comma splices in your writing,
you need to know the difference between
independent clauses and dependent clauses.

• Independent = complete sentence. Much include

at least a subject and a verb.

• Dependent = phrase that does not work by itself

but requires another complete sentence to allow
it to work (see Sentence Fragments Workshop)
The Purpose of Commas
• Commas group and separate words, phrases,
and clauses, in order to make the meaning of
sentences more clear.
Recognizing Comma Splices
Step 1: Look for independent clauses
• Every independent clause contains a subject and a
predicate
• An independent clause does NOT begin with a
subordinating word
o subordinating conjunction (after, because, although)
o relative pronoun (who, which, that)
o relative adverb (when, where)
Recognizing Comma Splices
Step 2: Follow Independent Clause with
Appropriate Punctuation
• Period
• Semi-colon
• Comma and Coordinating conjunction
Remedying with FANBOYS
• Instead of a comma splice, ‘FANBOYS’ can be
used to fix a comma splice. FANBOYS stands for

F = FOR
A = AND
N = NOR
B = BUT
O = OR
Y = Yet
S = So
Remedying with Semicolons
• Instead of a comma splice, you can use a semi
colon to link together two independent clauses.
(A semicolon is basically a period and a comma
–stronger than a comma, but not a full stop)

• Independent clause ; Independent clause

Remedying with Semicolons
• Semicolons can be used alone or with a
conjunctive adverb or transitional phrase. For
example

• ; however ; therefore ; nonetheless

• ; moreover ; furthermore ; for example

Other Remedies
• In addition to using either FANBOYS or a
semicolon, you can fix comma slices by:

• Adding a coordinating conjunction to the

beginning of the first independent clause.

• Removing the comma and replacing it with a

period
Other Remedies
• In addition to using either FANBOYS or a
semicolon, you can fix comma slices by:

• Adding a coordinating conjunction to the

beginning of the first independent clause.
▫ After my family bakes together every night, we get
to enjoy the snacks we make.
• Removing the comma and replacing it with a
period
▫ My family bakes together every night. We get to
enjoy the snacks we make.
Practice
• Look at the sentences below. Use a semicolon to
fix the problem.

• I didn’t like the movie, it was way too long.

• Kauko and I are getting married in the fall, we
didn’t want a summer wedding.
• My favorite bands are all really loud, playing
loud music is good for stress relief.
Practice (Answers)
• Look at the sentences below. Use a semicolon to
fix the problem.

• I didn’t like the movie; it was way too long.

• Kauko and I are getting married in the fall; we
didn’t want a summer wedding.
• My favorite bands are all really loud; playing
loud music is good for stress relief.
Practice
• Correct each example below in two different
ways in order to fix the comma splice.

• I don’t like tunnels, they scare me.

• We saw a flock of birds, there were at least a
dozen
• I am enjoying my economics class it makes me
think about the reasons behind the recession.
Practice (Possible Answers)
• Correct each example below in two different ways in order to
fix the comma splice. You could have different answers.

• I don’t like tunnels; they scare me.

• I don’t like tunnels. They scare me.

• We saw a flock of birds, and there were at least a dozen.

• We saw a flock of birds; there were at least a dozen.

• I am enjoying my economics class, but it makes me think about the

reasons behind the recession.
• Although I am enjoying my economics class, it makes me think
about the reasons behind the recession.
Credit
• With thanks to Dr Tyler Evans-Tokaryk and Dr
Michael Kaler for their contribution to this
project.

• Questions can be directed to Dr Laura Taylor –

laura.taylor@utoronto.ca

• Follow me on Twitter: @dr_laura_taylor