Grammar and reading terms · SAT Reading and Writing, ACT English, ACT Reading
Comma splice
Also called: Run-on sentence
Comma splice: An error in which two independent clauses are joined with only a comma.
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What it means
A comma alone cannot join two complete sentences. Fix a comma splice with a period, a semicolon, a comma plus a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), or by making one clause dependent.
A run-on sentence, or fused sentence, joins independent clauses with no punctuation at all.
Example
Incorrect: 'The storm passed, the roads stayed closed.' Correct: 'The storm passed, but the roads stayed closed.' or 'The storm passed; the roads stayed closed.'
On the exam
Comma splices are among the most common wrong answers in SAT Boundaries and ACT English punctuation questions.
Lessons and practice questions
Related terms
- Independent clauseA group of words with a subject and a verb that expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.
- SemicolonA punctuation mark that joins two closely related independent clauses, or separates items in a list that already contains commas.
- Sentence fragmentA group of words punctuated as a sentence that lacks a subject, a main verb or a complete thought.