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Comma splices
What is a comma splice?
A comma splice is the misuse of a comma, rather than a semicolon, colon, or period, to separate related main clauses not joined by a conjunction.
Comma splice examples
Example 1
"I do my homework with music playing, classic rock is my first choice."
How to fix this comma splice
Add a coordinating conjunction:
"I do my homework with music playing, and classic rock is my first choice."
Add a subordinate conjunction:
"When I do my homework with music playing, classic rock is my first choice."
Separate the two thoughts into different sentences:
"I do my homework with music playing. Classic rock is my first choice."
Example 2
"We went to the pool, it was too cold to swim."
How to fix this comma splice
Add a coordinating conjunction:
"We went to the pool, but it was too cold to swim."
Add a subordinate conjunction:
"Although we went to the pool, it was too cold to swim."
Separate the two thoughts into different sentences:
"We went to the pool. It was too cold to swim."
Example 3: Historical Edition
"I came, I saw, I conquered." Julius Caesar
How to fix this comma splice
Add a coordinating conjunction:
"I came and I saw and I conquered."
Add a subordinate conjunction and a coordinating conjunction:
"When I came. I saw and I conquered."
Separate the two thoughts into different sentences:
"I came. I saw. I conquered."
Do you know any other famous comma splices?
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