Comma Splices / Fused Sentences

What is the issue?

Readers expect to be signaled of the end of an independent clause by a period, semicolon, or comma/coordinating conjunction. When an independent clause is followed by only a comma or no punctuation at all, the reader can become confused.

Comma Splices: Two independent clauses joined only by a comma.

• EX: I listened to the lecture, the professor was actually very informative.
  • This comma splice connects two clauses that could be complete sentences of their own, because each clause contains a subject and verb

Fused Sentences: Two independent clauses joined by no punctuation.

• EX: I listened to the lecture the professor was actually very informative.
• These two independent clauses, complete with both a subject and a verb, are connected by no punctuation. Thus the reader is confused about the parts of speech and purpose of different words.

To Solve:

1. Separate the clauses into two sentences with a period.
   • EX: I listened to the lecture. The professor was very informative.
2. Link clauses with both a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet)
   • EX: I listened to the lecture, and the professor was very informative.
3. Link the clauses with a semi-colon (and a connective adverb, such as thus, however, or therefore, if desired).
   • EX: I listened to the lecture; it was very informative.
4. Recast the two clauses as one independent clause.
   • EX: The lecture I listened to was very informative.
5. 5. Recast the sentence as an independent clause and a dependent clause. If the order of the sentence is dependent clauseindependent clause, a comma is necessary after the independent clause.
   • EX: After I listened to the lecture, I realized that it was very informative.
     (dependent) (independent)

*NOTE* If the order of the sentence is independent clause/dependent clause, then no comma is necessary.

• EX: I realized the lecture was informative after I listened to it.
  (independent) (dependent)

Let's Practice

1. My high school adviser was close to me, she was almost my best friend.
2. She was busy but she always made time for me.
3. sometimes she would just listen occasionally she would give advice
4. At first I wasn't interested in her suggestions then I changed my mind.
5. it is going to take time, eventually I should get a good position.

Possible Answers (responses may vary):

1. My high school advisor was close to me. She was almost my best friend.
   Uses solution method #1 (separate and make two sentences)
2. She was busy but she always made time for me.
   Uses solution method #2 (link sentences with a command a coordinating conjunction)
3. She gave advice but mostly just listened.
   Uses solution method #4 (recast the two sentences as one independent clause.
4. At first I wasn't interested in her suggestion; however, I changed my mind.
   Uses solution method #3 (link clauses with a semi colon and a connective adverb)
5. Although it's going to take time, eventually I should get a good position.
   Uses solution method #5 (recast as a dependent clause and an independent clause)

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