Comma Splices

A comma splice happens when two complete sentences are joined with nothing but a comma: “The train was late, we missed the show.” Each half could stand alone as its own sentence, and a lone comma isn't strong enough to hold them together.

How to spot one

Cover everything before the comma and read what's left. Then do the reverse. If both halves work as standalone sentences – each has its own subject and verb – and only a comma sits between them, you have a splice.

Four easy fixes

1. Make two sentences. The bluntest fix and often the best one: The train was late. We missed the show.

2. Use a semicolon. When the two thoughts belong together, a semicolon says so: The train was late; we missed the show.

3. Add a coordinating conjunction. A comma is allowed to join complete sentences when a conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so – “FANBOYS”) comes with it: The train was late, so we missed the show.

4. Subordinate one half. Turn one sentence into a dependent clause: Because the train was late, we missed the show.

The “however” trap

Words like however, therefore and meanwhile feel like conjunctions, but they aren't – joining sentences with “, however,” is still a splice. Use a semicolon or a full stop before them: It rained; however, we hiked anyway.