Avoiding Comma Splices with Relative Clauses: A College Writing Tutorial

📚 Understanding Comma Splices with Relative Clauses

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined together with only a comma. This is generally considered incorrect in formal writing. Relative clauses, which begin with relative pronouns like who, which, and that, can sometimes complicate this issue.

📜 Historical Context

The rules surrounding comma usage, including the avoidance of comma splices, have evolved over centuries. Early punctuation was often more flexible, but modern style guides emphasize clarity and precision. The prohibition against comma splices became more firmly established in the 20th century as style guides sought to standardize writing conventions.

🔑 Key Principles to Avoid Comma Splices

• 🔗 Identify Independent Clauses: Recognize clauses that can stand alone as sentences. For example, "The dog barked," and "The cat meowed" are independent clauses.
• 🚫 Recognize the Splice: Spot instances where two independent clauses are joined only by a comma: "The dog barked, the cat meowed."
• 🛠️ Use a Coordinating Conjunction: Join independent clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). Example: "The dog barked, and the cat meowed."
• ✂️ Use a Semicolon: Separate independent clauses with a semicolon. Example: "The dog barked; the cat meowed."
• ➗ Create Separate Sentences: Divide the independent clauses into two separate sentences. Example: "The dog barked. The cat meowed."
• ✍️ Subordinate One Clause: Turn one of the independent clauses into a dependent clause. Example: "Because the dog barked, the cat meowed."

💡 Relative Clauses: Clarification

A relative clause provides additional information about a noun. It is introduced by a relative pronoun (who, which, that, whose, whom). Crucially, a relative clause is a DEPENDENT clause, so it cannot form a comma splice.

✅ Correct Examples with Relative Clauses

• ✅ The book, which I borrowed from the library, is overdue. (Correct: relative clause set off by commas)
• ✅ The student who studies diligently will succeed. (Correct: relative clause not set off by commas because it is essential to the meaning of 'student')
• ✅ I went to the store, and I bought milk that was on sale. (Correct: coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses)

❌ Incorrect Examples (Comma Splices)

• ❌ The dog barked, which annoyed the neighbors. (Incorrect: comma splice. "The dog barked" is independent. "which annoyed the neighbors" is dependent, but it doesn't fix the splice.)
• ❌ She finished her homework, she went to bed. (Incorrect: comma splice between two independent clauses)

🛠️ Corrected Examples

• ✔️ The dog barked; this annoyed the neighbors. (Corrected with a semicolon)
• ✔️ Because she finished her homework, she went to bed. (Corrected by subordinating one clause)
• ✔️ She finished her homework, and then she went to bed. (Corrected with a coordinating conjunction)

🧪 Practice Quiz

Identify whether the following sentences are correct or contain a comma splice. If a sentence contains a comma splice, correct it.

1. The sun was shining, the birds were singing.
2. The car, which I bought last year, is already having problems.
3. I went to the park, I saw many squirrels.
4. She is a talented musician, she plays the piano beautifully.
5. The movie that we watched last night was very interesting.
6. He studied hard, he passed the exam.
7. The flowers, which she planted in the spring, are now in full bloom.

🔑 Answer Key

1. Comma Splice: The sun was shining, and the birds were singing.
2. Correct
3. Comma Splice: I went to the park, and I saw many squirrels.
4. Comma Splice: She is a talented musician; she plays the piano beautifully.
5. Correct
6. Comma Splice: He studied hard, so he passed the exam.
7. Correct

🎓 Conclusion

Avoiding comma splices, especially when using relative clauses, involves understanding the structure of sentences and the relationship between independent and dependent clauses. By mastering these principles, you can improve the clarity and correctness of your writing. Remember to always proofread carefully!