lunsfordgenlc

Quick Help: Editing for comma splices and fused sentences

Editing for comma splices and fused sentences

If you find no punctuation between two of your independent clauses—groups of words that can stand alone as sentences—you have identified a fused sentence. If you find two such clauses joined only by a comma, you have identified a comma splice. Revise comma splices and fused sentences with one of these methods.

Separate the clauses into two sentences.
Link the clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, or yet).
Link the clauses with a semicolon.

If the clauses are linked with only a comma and a conjunctive adverb—a word like however, then, therefore—add a semicolon.
Recast the two clauses as one independent clause.
Recast one independent clause as a dependent clause.
In informal writing, link the clauses with a dash.