SAT Reading & Writing: Comma Splices
40+ practice questions in Praczo
The concept, explained
- 1
A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a comma. This is a grammatical error: "The sun set, the stars appeared."
- 2
Four ways to fix a comma splice: (a) a period, (b) a semicolon, (c) a comma + coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), (d) subordinate one clause with "because," "although," etc.
- 3
A semicolon works when both sides are independent and closely related. A coordinating conjunction signals the logical relationship between the ideas.
- 4
Identify whether each side of the comma can stand alone as a sentence. If both can, a comma alone is not enough.
- 5
"However," "therefore," and "moreover" are adverbs — they cannot join two independent clauses with only a comma. Use a semicolon before them.
- ✗ "It was raining, however, we went outside" is a comma splice — "however" is not a conjunction. Correct: "It was raining; however, we went outside."
- ✗ Thinking any long sentence with a comma is a splice. If one side is a dependent clause (starting with "because," "although," etc.), a comma may be perfectly correct.
SAT-style practice
Which of the following is NOT a comma splice?
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