| comma splice |
| Definition:
The case where two independent clauses are joined by just a comma. Note: This is usually considered to be a solecism. |
| Example:
I was really hungry, there was no food to eat.
Some ways to correct this are: (1) Turn the two clauses into two sentences (I was really hungry. There was no food to eat.). (2) Replace the comma with a semicolon. (3) Insert a coordinating conjunction after the comma ( I was really hungry, and there was no food to eat.). Note: If the clauses are short, you can get away with using just a comma ( I came, I saw, I spliced.). |
| Quotation:
"If two or more clauses, grammatically complete and not joined by a conjunction, are to form a single compound sentence, the proper mark of punctuation is a semicolon."
(Source: The Elements of Style — William Strunk) |