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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