List of Comma Splice Examples in Complex Sentences for ESL Learners

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 📌 What is a Comma Splice? A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined together by only a comma.
• ⚠️ Why are Comma Splices Incorrect? They create run-on sentences that can be confusing for readers.
• 🛠️ How to Fix Comma Splice:
  • ✨ Use a period to create two separate sentences.
  • 🤝 Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
  • ⛓️ Use a semicolon to join the two clauses.
  • ✍️ Subordinate one of the clauses (make it dependent) using a subordinating conjunction (e.g., because, although, if, since).
• 📝 Identifying Independent Clauses: An independent clause has a subject and a verb and can stand alone as a complete sentence.
• 💡 Example: Incorrect: *The dog barked loudly, it wanted to go outside.* Correct: *The dog barked loudly, because it wanted to go outside.* or *The dog barked loudly; it wanted to go outside.*

Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following sentences contains a comma splice?
   1. The cat slept all day, it was very tired.
   2. The sun was shining brightly, and the birds were singing.
   3. Although it was raining, they decided to go for a walk.
   4. She studied hard for the exam, and she passed with flying colors.
2. Which of the following is the BEST way to correct the comma splice in the sentence: "I went to the store, I bought some milk."
   1. I went to the store I bought some milk.
   2. I went to the store, but I bought some milk.
   3. I went to the store, and I bought some milk.
   4. I went to the store because I bought some milk.
3. Identify the comma splice in the following sentence: "The movie was long, I almost fell asleep."
   1. The movie was long
   2. I almost fell asleep
   3. The movie was long, I almost fell asleep
   4. There is no comma splice in this sentence.
4. Which of the following sentences correctly uses a semicolon to fix a comma splice?
   1. She loves to read books; she spends hours in the library.
   2. He went to the gym, but he didn't work out.
   3. They traveled to Europe, they visited many countries.
   4. Because it was raining, they stayed inside.
5. Which sentence uses a subordinating conjunction to correct a comma splice?
   1. The cake looked delicious, I ate a slice.
   2. Although the cake looked delicious, I ate a slice.
   3. The cake looked delicious; I ate a slice.
   4. The cake looked delicious, and I ate a slice.
6. Which of these sentences is punctuated correctly?
   1. The team lost the game, they were very disappointed.
   2. The team lost the game, so they were very disappointed.
   3. The team lost the game; so they were very disappointed.
   4. The team lost the game so they were very disappointed.
7. Which sentence contains a comma splice that has NOT been corrected?
   1. She finished her homework, then she watched TV.
   2. After she finished her homework, she watched TV.
   3. She finished her homework; she watched TV.
   4. She finished her homework, and then she watched TV.