Comma Splice: What It Is and How to Fix It (with Examples)

What Is a Comma Splice?

 A comma splice happens when you use a comma to connect two sentences that could stand on their own. A comma is not strong enough to join these two thoughts, and it becomes a run-on sentence.

An example of a comma splice (wrong way):

❌ I finished my homework, I went out to meet my friends.

Both parts could be sentences by themselves, and it’s wrong to join them with a comma.

Comma splices often show up in academic essays, emails, and blogs. This is because people want to make their writing flow better, but it leads to confusion and the sentences lose their strength. Knowing how to fix comma splices will help you write clearer, more professional sentences.

Why It Matters

 Comma splices might seem like a small mistake, but they can affect your writing in big ways.

1. They lead to weird, rushed, or confusing sentences.

 Readers expect a clear break between complete ideas. When you use a comma, the sentence feels rushed or confusing.

2. They make your academic or professional writing look bad.

 If you’re writing something formal like an essay, research paper, or report, your teacher or reader might notice the comma splice, and it sounds like you don’t know how to structure sentences.

3. They sound choppy and break the logical flow.

 Punctuation tells the reader how your writing should sound. A comma splice puts an odd pause in a place where it doesn’t belong.

By learning how to spot and fix comma splices, you improve the way your writing sounds to the reader, your tone, and the clarity of your writing.

When To Use a Comma (And When Not To)

 A comma splice is when you use a comma in a place where you should use something else. Here are 4–6 situations where writers often use a comma incorrectly, with examples:

1. Joining Two Independent Clauses

 The wrong way:

❌ The meeting ended early, everyone left the office.

The right way:

 ✔ The meeting ended early. Everyone left the office. (period)

 ✔ The meeting ended early; everyone left the office. (semicolon)

 ✔ The meeting ended early, and everyone left the office. (coordinating conjunction)

2. When One Thing Causes the Other to Happen

 Writers often use a comma to join these two sentences, but it’s a comma splice.

 The wrong way:

❌ It started raining, we canceled the trip.

The right way:

✔ It started raining, so we canceled the trip.

✔ It started raining; we canceled the trip.

3. When the Two Things Are Contrasting

 The wrong way:

❌ I wanted to go jogging, it was too cold outside.

The right way:

✔ I wanted to go jogging, but it was too cold outside.

✔ I wanted to go jogging; however, it was too cold outside.

4. When One Thing Happens As a Result of the Other

 The wrong way:

❌ She clicked the link, the page wouldn’t load.

The right way:

✔ She clicked the link, but the page wouldn’t load.

✔ She clicked the link; the page wouldn’t load.

5. When the Two Things Combine to Describe the Subject

 The wrong way:

❌ He finished the project, he submitted it immediately.

The right way:

✔ He finished the project and submitted it immediately.

✔ He finished the project. He submitted it immediately.

6. When the Second Clause Describes or Explains Something About the First

 The wrong way:

❌ The data looks wrong, you should double-check it.

The right way:

✔ The data looks wrong; you should double-check it.

✔ The data looks wrong, so you should double-check it.

Comma Splice Examples (Right vs. Wrong)

Here are some more examples of comma splices so you can spot them easily.

Comma Splice vs. Similar Concepts

How To Type/Use the Proper Sentence Connectors

 Using the right punctuation is all you need to avoid comma splices. Here’s how to find the most common punctuation and symbols on your device.

Windows

 Period: . (the standard key that comes after “>”)

 Semicolon: shift + ;

 Em dash (use if you’re looking for a more stylish sentence): alt+0151

 HTML period: .

 HTML semicolon: ;

Mac

Semicolon & period: on keyboard

Em dash: shift+option+ -

HTML: same as Windows

Google Docs

Use punctuation on your keyboard

Insert → Special Characters → type “dash” into the field for other punctuation symbols

Autocorrect may also turn double hyphens -- into an em dash

HTML

 Period: .

 Semicolon: ;

 Non-breaking space:   (can be useful for formatting!)

Mobile (iOS/Android)

Long-press on period key for other punctuation marks

Semicolon is on alternate keyboard

Em dash is under long-press hyphen -

Common Mistakes & Writing Tips

1. Using a comma because you want the “sound” to be connected and not broken up by a period or semicolon

Even if the two things feel connected, you still need to use the right way to join independent clauses.

2. Using too many semicolons

 This is better than a comma, but you shouldn’t use it to fix every situation. Try to mix up your structure with periods, conjunctions, transitions, etc.

3. Forgetting about coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS)

 You can use: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

Example:

✔ I was hungry, so I made a sandwich.

4. Fixing the sentence for flow instead of structure

 Good writing has both a nice flow and correct grammar.

5. Fixing a comma splice with a different grammar mistake

 For example, some people throw in “however” after a comma, but that still sounds wrong in a normal sentence.

Conclusion

 A comma splice is when you connect two complete sentences using only a comma. This is a very common grammar mistake, but it weakens your clarity, tone, and logic. Luckily, it’s really easy to fix. You can fix a comma splice with:

●  a period

●  a semicolon

●  a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)

●  subordination (because, although, since)

If you can remember to use these different structures, your writing will be clearer, more professional, and more engaging—whether you’re writing academic essays, workplace emails, or long-form content.