Comma Splices Lesson

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How many complete thoughts are in the sentence below?

"The sun will be out as you make your way to the car, by the time you arrive at your destination, you’re trapped in a parking lot with torrents of rainwater collapsing on your windshield."

3 Complete Thoughts

2 Complete Thoughts

1 Complete Thought

Where is the comma splice?

"The sun will be out as you make your way to the car, (#1) by the time you arrive at your destination, (#2) you’re trapped in a parking lot with torrents of rainwater collapsing on your windshield."

Comma #2

Comma #1

Which of the following reflects how we might fix the comma splice?

A) Remove the comma: "The sun will be out as you make your way to the car by the time you arrive at your destination, you’re trapped in a parking lot with torrents of rainwater collapsing on your windshield." B) Replace the comma with a period: "The sun will be out as you make your way to the car. By the time you arrive at your destination, you’re trapped in a parking lot with torrents of rainwater collapsing on your windshield." C) Add a conjunction: "The sun will be out as you make your way to the car, but by the time you arrive at your destination, you’re trapped in a parking lot with torrents of rainwater collapsing on your windshield."

Option B

Option A

Option B and C

Option A and C

Next

Identify the comma splice in the passage below.

I have been known to take everything as a sign, (#1) even if I am lying to myself. That’s part of the fun. It’s the idea of certainty that drains me. Sure, (#2) someone saying they don’t dig you like you dig them doesn’t stop a crush dead in its tracks, (#3) but it does make the emotional journey more finite. I don’t know much about love, (#4) I don’t wish to know more than I already do.

(#1)

(#2)

(#3)

(#4)

Click on the number that follows the comma splice.

Nice Job!

I have been known to take everything as a sign, even if I am lying to myself. That’s part of the fun. It’s the idea of certainty that drains me. Sure, someone saying they don’t dig you like you dig them doesn’t stop a crush dead in its tracks, but it does make the emotional journey more finite. I don’t know much about love, I don’t wish to know more than I already do.

The clauses before and after the comma in the bolded sentence both contain a complete thought (without a coordinating conjunction), and consequently there is a comma splice.

Next

How might you fix the comma splice?

Drag and drop one or more of the elements in black below into the sentence to fix the comma splice. Then, click "Next" to continue.

I don’t know much about love I don’t wish to know more than I already do.

or

and

but

Next

How might you fix the comma splice?

There are multiple ways to fix the comma splice; consider the options below. (Note: Abdurraqib chose the first option.)

I don’t know much about love, and I don’t wish to know more than I already do.

I don’t know much about love; I don’t wish to know more than I already do.

I don’t know much about love. I don’t wish to know more than I already do.

Next

Identify the comma splice in the passage below.

(#1)

And yes, (#1) I have a crush on memories that were surely not as beautiful as I have made them out to be. Because that's the whole trick. I've had crushes on all my friends, (#2) if they don't have one back on me that's fine because I'm still going to text them at unfortunate and odd hours of the day with some useless miracle. So few of my crushes speak back, (#3) but I am cultivating my comfort with unanswered desires, (#4) and it is going well.

(#2)

(#3)

(#4)

Click on the number that follows the comma splice.

Nice job!

And yes, I have a crush on memories that were surely not as beautiful as I have made them out to be. Because that's the whole trick. I've had crushes on all my friends, if they don't have one back on me that's fine because I'm still going to text them at unfortunate and odd hours of the day with some useless miracle. So few of my crushes speak back, but I am cultivating my comfort with unanswered desires, and it is going well.

The clauses before and after the comma in the bolded sentence both contain a complete thought (without a coordinating conjunction), and consequently there is a comma splice.

Next

How might you fix the comma splice?

Drag and drop one or more of the elements in black below into the sentence to fix the comma splice. Then, click "Next" to continue.

I've had crushes on all my friends if they don't have one back on me that's fine because I'm still going to text them at unfortunate and odd hours of the day with some useless miracle.

or

and

but

Next

How might you fix the comma splice?

There are multiple ways to fix the comma splice; consider the options below. (Note: Abdurraqib chose the first option.)

I've had crushes on all my friends, and if they don't have one back on me that's fine because I'm still going to text them at unfortunate and odd hours of the day with some useles s miracle.

I've had crushes on all my friends, but if they don't have one back on me that's fine because I'm still going to text them at unfortunate and odd hours of the day with some useles s miracle.

I've had crushes on all my friends. If they don't have one back on me that's fine because I'm still going to text them at unfortunate and odd hours of the day with some useles s miracle.

Next

Congrats! You've finished this mini-lesson!

What's next?

Now, it's time to head back into your own writing and look for—and correct—comma splices. Return to the piece of writing that you are currently working on. On a separate sheet of paper, copy and paste any comma splices you find, along with your correction. Please turn this in once complete so I can provide feedback. If you have any remaining questions, please let me know!

Try Again!