Revision as two sentences

The simplest way to revise comma splices or fused sentences is to separate them into two sentences.

If the two clauses are very short, making them two sentences may sound abrupt and terse, so some other method of revision is probably preferable.

Revision with a comma and a coordinating conjunction

If the ideas in the two clauses are closely related and equally important, you can join them with a comma and a coordinating conjunction: and, but, or, nor, for, so, or yet. The conjunction helps indicate what kind of link exists between the two clauses. For instance, but and yet signal opposition or contrast; for and so signal cause-effect relationships.

Revision with a semicolon

If the ideas in the two clauses are closely related and you want to give them equal emphasis, you can link them with a semicolon.

Be on the lookout for clauses that include conjunctive adverbs or transitional phrases. Although you may see informal writing that uses a comma with conjunctive adverbs to join two independent clauses, such a construction is usually considered a comma splice error in formal academic writing. Use a semicolon instead, or choose one of the other editing options in this chapter.

SOME CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS AND TRANSITIONAL PHRASES

For Multilingual Writers: Sentence length

Revision as one independent clause

Sometimes you can reduce two spliced or fused clauses to a single independent clause that is more direct and concise.

Revision as one independent and one dependent clause

When one independent clause is more important than the other, try converting the less important one to a dependent clause.

In the revision, the writer chooses to emphasize the first clause, the one describing what the movement advocated, and to make the second clause, the one describing what it reacted against, into a dependent clause.

In the revision, the writer chooses to emphasize the second clause and to make the first one into a dependent clause by adding the subordinating conjunction although.

Revision with a dash

In informal writing, you can use a dash to join two independent clauses, especially when the second clause elaborates on the first.