Grammar Girl say’s that a comma is used most commonly to, “separate two main clauses that are connected by a coordinating conjunction.” A comma splice is when two main clauses are put together with a comma and without using a coordinating conjunction. An example of a sentence with a comma splice is, “It was getting closer, she knew it.” This sentence has two complete thoughts. The comma is splicing them together because they are not separated by a coordinating conjunction. This sentence can be rewritten three different ways:
1. A coordinating conjunction can be used to correct the comma slice: “It was getting closer, and she knew it.”
2. A period can be used to separate the two clauses: “It was getting closer. She knew it.”
3. And, since the two clauses are directly related, a semicolon can be used to connect them without splicing them: “It was getting closer; she knew it.”
I commit comma errors all the time! Hopefully, now that I know all about comma splices, I can be more aware of my comma usage.
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