Commas and Comma Splices

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Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction

A coordinating conjunction connects like structures including words (nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions and conjunctions), phrases, and clauses.

The following words are examples of coordinating conjunctions:

and, but, or, yet, nor, for, so.

to join independent clauses

An independent clause, also called a main clause, is a group of related words that makes a complete statement. Every sentence has at least one independent clause.

The following sentence is an independent clause:

Many people of all ages enjoy soccer.

, as in the following examples:

Alaska is the largest state, and Rhode Island is the smallest.
Rhode Island is smaller than Alaska, but Rhode Island has a larger population.

A comma alone is not enough to link independent clauses. When independent clauses are “spliced” together with a comma alone, the error is called a comma splice.

Consider the following examples of comma splices:

Alaska is the largest state, Rhode Island is the smallest.
Rhode Island is smaller than Alaska, Rhode Island has a larger population.

A comma splice often occurs if the writer understands where to punctuate but is confused about which punctuation mark to use.

Here are three ways to correct comma splices:

1. Make two separate sentences:

Alaska is the largest state. Rhode Island is the smallest.
Rhode Island is smaller than Alaska. Rhode Island has a larger population.

2. Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction:

Alaska is the largest state, and Rhode Island is the smallest.
Rhode Island is smaller than Alaska, but Rhode Island has a larger population.

3. Use a semicolon

A semicolon [ ; ] is a punctuation mark used to connect two independent clauses.

The following sentence correctly uses a semicolon:

The environment is more than an issue; it is the context in which all issues occur.

(not a comma) to join the sentences:

Alaska is the largest state; Rhode Island is the smallest.
Rhode Island is smaller than Alaska; Rhode Island has a larger population.



Which of the following sentences is correct? The cars collided at high speed, both drivers escaped serious injury. The cars collided at high speed, but both drivers escaped serious injury.

No. This sentence incorrectly joins two independent clauses with a comma alone. This is the error known as a comma splice.

Yes. This sentence correctly joins two independent clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction.

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