comma splices

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comma splices" is correct and usable in written English.
It refers to a grammatical error that occurs when two independent clauses are joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction. Example: "I went to the store, I forgot to buy milk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The author was prone to comma splices and garbled exposition.

The New York Times - Magazine

Two situations seem to bring out a lot of comma splices.

The New York Times

Two particular situations seem to bring out a lot of comma splices.

The New York Times

Cal student, in spite of his run on sentences and comma splices, writes creditably for a Cal student.

University of California, Berkeley

His exuberant ramblings gain a propulsion that would be lost if the comma splices were curbed, the phrases divided into sentences.

The New York Times - Books

When I started teaching at the University of Delaware some years ago, I was positively gobsmacked by the multitude of comma splices that confronted me.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Today, however, it's a comma splice.

The New York Times

Samuel Beckett was the poet laureate of the comma splice.

The New York Times

Ban the comma splice, then along comes Beckett with his jagged, haunting arrhythmia.

The New York Times - Books

Instead of the comma splice, use a period, semicolon or dash.

The New York Times

A comma splice occurs when only a comma separates clauses that could each stand alone as a sentence.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When editing, identify independent clauses. If they're joined only by a comma, correct it by adding a conjunction, using a semicolon, or creating separate sentences.

Common error

Don't assume that just because two short clauses seem closely related, they can be joined with only a comma. Even short independent clauses require proper conjunction or separation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comma splices" functions as a noun phrase, referring to a specific type of grammatical error. As Ludwig AI indicates, it involves the incorrect joining of two independent clauses with only a comma. Examples show its use in discussing writing style and grammatical mistakes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "comma splices" refers to a common grammatical error where two independent clauses are incorrectly joined by only a comma. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used in writing discussions. To avoid "comma splices", writers should ensure that independent clauses are properly connected with coordinating conjunctions, semicolons, or are separated into distinct sentences. Mastering this concept enhances clarity and precision in writing, making it a crucial skill for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comma faults

Replaces "splices" with "faults", maintaining the core meaning of grammatical errors involving commas.

comma errors

Substitutes "splices" with "errors", focusing on the mistakes related to comma usage.

run-on sentences with commas

Specifies the type of run-on sentence by highlighting the presence of commas as the primary issue.

incorrectly joined clauses

Focuses on the improper joining of independent clauses, which is the root cause of comma splices.

fused sentences with commas

Emphasizes the fusion of sentences due to incorrect comma placement.

comma misuse

Highlights the incorrect or inappropriate use of commas in connecting clauses.

faulty comma usage

Focuses on the flawed application of commas leading to grammatical errors.

sentences spliced with commas

Describes the act of connecting sentences using only commas, indicating a splicing error.

independent clauses separated by commas

Clarifies that the error involves independent clauses being separated solely by commas.

comma-related sentence errors

Broadly refers to any sentence errors that stem from the misuse or misplacement of commas.

FAQs

What is the definition of "comma splices"?

A "comma splice" is a grammatical error that occurs when two independent clauses are joined together by only a comma. This can be corrected by using a semicolon, a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, so, for, nor, yet), or by separating the clauses into two distinct sentences.

How can I identify "comma splices" in my writing?

To identify "comma splices", look for sentences where two complete thoughts (independent clauses) are connected only by a comma. If each part of the sentence could stand alone, it's likely a comma splice.

What are some ways to correct "comma splices"?

There are several ways to correct "comma splices": use a semicolon to join the clauses, add a coordinating conjunction (like and, but, or) after the comma, create two separate sentences, or restructure the sentence to combine the clauses differently.

Is it ever acceptable to use "comma splices"?

While generally considered incorrect, some style guides allow "comma splices" in very informal writing or when dealing with extremely short, closely related clauses. However, it's best to avoid them in formal writing. You may use alternatives like "semicolon" or coordinating conjunction