Blog

Introduction

Adhering to rules of grammar and punctuation is vital to effective academic writing. One common error that often infiltrates written work is the comma splice. This blog aims to provide to explain what comma splices are and why they should be avoided. The blog also aims at how to correct them, following the guidelines of the 7th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA). By familiarising yourself with these guidelines, you can improve your writing skills and avoid this common pitfall.

What is a Comma Splice?

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses, or complete thoughts, are joined together with just a comma, without any coordinating conjunction (e.g., ‘and,’ ‘but,’ ‘or,’ ‘nor,’ ‘for,’ ‘so,’ or ‘yet’) or appropriate punctuation. The sentence with comma splices are grammatically incorrect and can confuse the reader.

Example of a Comma Splice:

Incorrect: I enjoy swimming, it gives me a sense of peace and tranquillity.

In this example, ‘I enjoy swimming’ and ‘it gives me a sense of peace and tranquillity’ are both independent clauses. However, they are incorrectly joined by a comma alone, constituting a comma splice.

Why Should Comma Splices Be Avoided?

Comma splices cause a lack of clarity and coherence in your writing. They create run-on sentences that may confuse readers, interrupt the flow of ideas, and undermine the effectiveness of your message. In academic writing, where precision and clarity are paramount, it is essential to avoid such errors.

How to Correct Comma Splices

To correct a comma splice, there are several strategies you can employ:

1. Use a Coordinating Conjunction: One way to rectify a comma splice is to use a coordinating conjunction to join the two independent clauses. The most commonly used coordinating conjunctions are ‘and,’ ‘but,’ ‘or,’ ‘nor,’ ‘for,’ ‘so,’ and ‘yet.’

Corrected Example: I enjoy swimming, as it gives me a sense of peace and tranquillity.

2. Separate with a Period: Another effective method is to separate the two independent clauses with a period, creating two independent sentences.

Corrected Example: I enjoy swimming. It gives me a sense of peace and tranquillity.

3. Utilize a Semicolon: A semicolon can be used to join two independent clauses without the need for coordinating conjunction.

Corrected Example: I enjoy swimming; it gives me a sense of peace and tranquillity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, comma splices are a common writing error that can significantly impact the clarity and coherence of your work. By understanding what a comma splice is, why it should be avoided, and how to correct it according to the 7th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), you can enhance the quality of your academic writing.

Remember to apply the principles discussed in this article and proofread your work carefully to ensure you eliminate comma splices effectively. By doing so, you will produce polished and professional pieces of writing that effectively convey your ideas to your readers.