1. Look for a comma joining two independent clauses.
* Independent clause: A complete sentence with a subject and verb, expressing a complete thought.
Example of a comma splice:
* The cat sat on the mat, the dog chased the squirrel.
2. Ask yourself: "Could this sentence stand alone?"
* In the example above, both "The cat sat on the mat" and "The dog chased the squirrel" could stand alone as complete sentences.
3. If you find a comma joining two independent clauses, it's a comma splice.
How to Fix a Comma Splice:
1. Use a period:
* The cat sat on the mat. The dog chased the squirrel.
2. Use a semicolon:
* The cat sat on the mat; the dog chased the squirrel.
3. Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction:
* The cat sat on the mat, and the dog chased the squirrel. (Common coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, nor, so, yet)
4. Use a subordinating conjunction:
* Because the cat sat on the mat, the dog chased the squirrel.
* (Common subordinating conjunctions: because, although, while, since, if, when, unless)
Additional Tips:
* Pay attention to sentence structure. If a sentence is particularly long and complex, it may be more likely to have a comma splice.
* Be aware of common comma splice mistakes. For example, using a comma after an introductory phrase is often mistaken for a comma splice.
Let me know if you have a specific sentence you'd like to check!