In most prose, creative or otherwise, any of these alternatives will be an improvement over the comma splice. A semicolon is stronger than a comma.Ī period is stronger than a semicolon, and a semicolon is stronger than a comma. Most of us also know how to fix such an error-for example, by replacing the comma with either a semicolon or a period or by supplying a coordinating conjunction:Ī period is stronger than a semicolon a semicolon is stronger than a comma.Ī period is stronger than a semicolon. The result is a type of run-on sentence, † and again, most writers and editors (and teachers too) will see this as an error. The comma splice, also known as a comma fault (both terms are in Merriam-Webster), is widely considered to be an error.Ī period is stronger than a semicolon, a semicolon is stronger than a comma. Do not, for example, introduce a semicolon if the author does not use them elsewhere.Most writers and editors learn not to join (or splice *) two independent clauses with a comma alone. Editors of fiction should also be mindful of how they emend for a comma splice. If an author of fiction consistently breaks a rule, however, an editor would be wise to consider the author’s purpose before making changes. Even a writer who uses comma splices as a device may occasionally do so unintentionally in exposition. In editing fiction a copyeditor is often justified in making emendations for basic points of grammar, and the emendations required to avoid a comma splice are minimal, so a writer may not find them intrusive. Or the author’s style might use splices frequently for some other effect. The minimal pause conveyed by a comma can clarify sentence structure while conveying the character’s state of mind. In dialogue and first-person narration, for example, a character might be excited or upset and thus speak in a rush. The greater the risk, the greater the reward.ĭinner was over, the guests had departed, and all that remained was a giant pile of dirty dishes.Ĭomma splices are also acceptable in fiction. It’s not just the customers who are exasperated, it’s the employees too. Note, however, that commas are acceptable in idiomatic constructions when the second part of the sentence completes the sense of the first and in a series of three or more items: I feel like going for a walk, so I’ll take the dog out. Winter coats should be warm, but they don’t need to contain down fill. The students were in an uproar some of them walked out of class. You can fix a comma splice in a number of ways: a new sentence can be formed a different mark of punctuation, like a semicolon or a dash, can be substituted for the comma or a conjunction can be used between the clauses:Ĭanceling your vacation is a horrible idea. I feel like going for a walk, I’ll take the dog out. Winter coats should be warm, they don’t need to contain down fill. The students were in an uproar, some of them walked out of class. The following examples violate this principle and demonstrate what is known as the “comma splice”:Ĭanceling your vacation is a horrible idea, don’t do it. Writers should generally not use a comma to connect two independent clauses, and editors of fiction and nonfiction should be alert to this misuse of the comma.
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