Writing Centre
Comma Splices
A comma splice is an error that occurs when you separate two independent clauses (clauses that can stand on
their own as complete sentences) with a comma. This creates a run-on sentence. There are three ways to fix a
comma splice: use a semi colon; a comma and a co-ordinating conjunction; or separate the clauses into two
distinct sentences.
Examples of comma splice: WRONG




I arrived in Vancouver, in the airport I bought a sandwich.
Noe had a dog, it would bark at everyone who walked by her house.
Min had a house, she sold it and made a large profit.
Nasir drove to the store, in the car he listened to music.
How to fix comma splice:
1. Make two sentences. Instead of trying to force two thoughts into a single sentence, separate your
independent clauses into two distinct sentences.
Wrong: I arrived in Vancouver, in the airport I bought a sandwich.
Correct: I arrived in Vancouver. In the airport I bought a sandwich.
2. Use a semi colon to separate your independent clauses. Instead of using a comma to separate the two
independent clauses, use a semi colon.
Wrong: Noe had a dog, it would bark at everyone who walked by her house.
Correct: Noe had a dog; it would bark at everyone who walked by her house.
3. Use a comma and a co-ordinating conjunction. Rather than using a comma to separate the two
independent clauses, use a co-ordinating conjunction (conjunctions like and, but, or) paired with a
comma to join them.
Wrong: Min had a house, she sold it and made a large profit.
Correct: Min had a house, and she sold it for a large profit.
©Duncan McGregor and Sara Wolfe