Comma Splice - Correction

Correction

Simply removing the comma does not correct the error, but results in a run-on sentence. There are several ways to correct a comma splice:

• Change the comma to a semicolon, colon, or dash:
  • It is nearly half past five; we cannot reach town before dark.
  • We cannot reach town before dark: it is nearly half past five.
  • It is nearly half past five—we cannot reach town before dark.
• Write the two clauses as two separate sentences:
  • It is nearly half past five. We cannot reach town before dark.
• Insert a coordinating conjunction following the comma:
  • It is nearly half past five, and we cannot reach town before dark.
  • It is nearly half past five, so we cannot reach town before dark.
• Make one clause dependent on the other:
  • Because it is nearly half past five, we cannot reach town before dark.
  • It is nearly half past five, which means we cannot reach town before dark.
• Use a semicolon plus a conjunctive adverb:
  • It is nearly half past five; hence, we cannot reach town before dark.

In the colon (:) example above, the two clauses must be transposed. A colon often introduces a reason or explanation: the colon becomes a substitute for "because". The clause giving the reason ("it is nearly half past five") must follow the clause that needs explanation ("We cannot reach town before dark").