Proofreading Tips: What to Do With Comma Splices

A good proofreader will know how to spot and correct common punctuation errors. One of the most common of these is the comma splice. But what exactly are comma splices, and how can you fix them? Read on to find out more.

What Are Comma Splices?

A comma splice is what happens when two independent clauses are joined with a comma and no conjunction.

To put it another way, it’s when the clauses on either side of a comma express a complete thought on their own. Take a look at the following sentence:

It was a beautiful day, we went hiking in the woods.

This is a comma splice because “it was a beautiful day” and “we went hiking in the woods” could both exist as standalone sentences.

You can see comma splices in the following examples, too:

A representative rang earlier, you missed the call.

I’m writing a novel, it’s taking a while.

The café ran out of milk, Joe had to have his coffee black.

Comma splices are a very common mistake, especially in informal writing. This may be because the writer believes that a comma indicates a pause, or that a full stop is too abrupt for the tone of the piece.

Occasionally, comma splices may be used for dramatic effect  (as in the famous “I came, I saw, I conquered”). This is more common in fiction and other creative writing. In most cases, though, they are an error that needs correcting.

How to Fix Comma Splices

Once you’ve spotted a comma splice in your client’s writing, there are several ways you can fix it:

• Replace the comma with a full stop. This separates the clauses into two sentences.

It was a beautiful day. We went hiking in the woods.

• Replace the comma with a semi-colon. Semi-colons separate two independent clauses while maintaining a close link between them.

A representative rang earlier; you missed the call.

• Add a conjunction. In this instance, you keep the comma, but add a conjunction (or joining word) such as “and,” “but,” or “if” to join the two independent clauses.

I’m writing a novel, but it’s taking a while.

• Make the first clause subordinate. This involves starting the first clause with a subordinate conjunction such as “since” or “because” to make it dependent on the second clause.

Because the café ran out of milk, Joe had to have his coffee black.

As a proofreader, you’ll need to use your judgement when deciding which option works best for your client. This may depend on the type and tone of the document, and the context of the surrounding sentences.

You won’t normally need to leave a comment when you fix a comma splice. But you can do so if you want to suggest alternative fixes or think your client may be confused by the corrections you’ve made.

Comma Splices in Proofreaders’ Comments

Speaking of comments, remember to keep them clear of comma splices too!

These are two independent clauses, I’ve separated them with a full stop. ✘

These are two independent clauses; I’ve separated them with a full stop. ✔

While you may adopt a relatively informal and friendly tone when communicating with your clients, it’s still important to avoid introducing errors to your comments. Even a mistake as common as a comma splice can undermine your integrity as a proofreader.

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