Skidmore Guide to Writing Index
Comma splices

A comma splice occurs when a comma is used incorrectly in place of a semicolon or without a coordinating conjunction to join two independent clauses.

Here's an example of a comma splice:

       The Skidmore student tried to stay awake all night, she fell asleep before sunrise.

The problem here is that a comma is being used to join two independent clauses, but we've forgotten also to use a coordinating conjunction. Here's how the sentence would look revised correctly:

       The Skidmore student tried to stay awake all night, but she fell asleep before sunrise.

Notice that we added the coordinating conjunction "but" after the comma.

Click here to read more about comma splices in the context of correct grammar.