English Stack Exchange
English Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [comma-splices]

Questions on comma splices, i.e. commas used to join two independent clauses.

A comma splice is the use of a comma to join two independent clauses in a single “sentence”.

A discussion is available at What is a comma splice? where one example is:

The Taylors won a new swimming pool, no one in the family knew how to swim.

This is actually two sentences:

The Taylors won a new swimming pool. No one in the family knew how to swim.

Often, the comma-splice can be corrected by replacing the comma with a suitable conjunction.

The Taylors won a new swimming pool, but no one in the family knew how to swim.

100 questions
10
votes
5 answers

"then" vs "and then"

I was writing an email in Outlook and its grammar correction suggested I change this: I need to do something, then I'll call you. to this: I need to do something, and then I'll call you. Is the "and" needed there to be correct?
TecBrat
  • 3,709
  • 4
  • 24
  • 35
4
votes
2 answers

Left-dislocation of a content clause, or just a comma splice?

Consider the following sentences, which all have the pattern X, that's what I say. where X is a complete clause: [1a] Nobody ever got something for nothing, that's what I say. (source) [1b] The previous spring's where it's born, that's what I say.…
linguisticturn
  • 12,606
2
votes
1 answer

can a comma make a difference?

In my mind, "I like him but not her" does not mean exactly the same as "I like him, but not her". The comma would insist on the opposition and put emphasis on "him" and "her". It puts weight on my dislike for "her". Am I making it up?
Anne Martin
  • 21
1
vote
1 answer

How can I combine two imperative sentences into one sentence to avoid comma splice?

Do I need to put a comma between two imperative sentences ? How does the comma rules apply in the following case? Can you provide me complete detail about combining two imperative sentences? Procrastinate now, don’t put it off.
Rajesh Poudel
  • 29
  • 1
  • 1
  • 6
0
votes
1 answer

Why does this not cause a comma splice?

This sentence appeared on an SAT writing section Healthy arctic marine mammals have a thick layer of fat beneath the skin, whereas tropical marine mammals have very few fat reserves in their bodies” Why is this not considered a comma splice as…
Banan
  • 11
0
votes
1 answer

Adjective refers to one word only or to more words

Please consider the next case: 1) Financial structure and policy. 2) Financial structure, and policy. Can case (1) be read as "Financial structure and financial policy."? Does "Financial" in case (2) refers only to "structure"? Thank you.
user58915
  • 5
0
votes
2 answers

Comma splice or complete sentence?

Understanding what feeds procastination is only step one. The next step, stopping it, is a bit bigger. Understanding what feeds procastination is only step one, the next step, stopping it, is a bit bigger. Which would be correct? Is the part after…
Harout
  • 1
0
votes
0 answers

Commas surrounding "let alone"

Is this sentence correct with regard to commas? Especially around "...let alone attain...". Thank you :) In a dynamic market, the Central Planning Board would be too slow to significantly approach, let alone attain, equilibrium.
user146808
  • 11
0
votes
1 answer

Use of 3 ands when dealing with two short lists

I love cute and witty penguins and beautiful sunsets on the beach. Is this the correct way to say this? Normally i'd be fine using this sentence structure, but, supposing i'm writing something formal, is it grammatically incorrect?
Dargatz
  • 103
0
votes
2 answers

Is it a comma splice if followed by an incomplete sentence staring with an 'ing' word?

Is it a comma splice if followed by an incomplete sentence staring with an 'ing' word? I don't know exactly how to explain this properly or clearly, so I'll put up a few examples. I have seen it a lot in online writing, but that doesn't make it…
Stufing
  • 1
-1
votes
2 answers

Help with Punctuation

How should this sentence be punctuated? With experience, handling difficult clients; demanding deadline, tight budgets and changing expectations, Corrine was perfect for the job.
bmm
  • 1