Comma Splice Correction Worksheet

Comma Splice Correction

Read each section carefully and follow the instructions to identify and correct comma splices.

What is a Comma Splice?

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses (complete thoughts) are joined together with only a comma. This is a common grammatical error. Independent clauses should be joined by a semicolon, a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) with a comma, or separated into two distinct sentences.

Example of a comma splice: I love to read, I always bring a book with me.

Corrected: I love to read; I always bring a book with me.

Corrected: I love to read, so I always bring a book with me.

Corrected: I love to read. I always bring a book with me.

Determine if each sentence contains a comma splice. Mark 'T' for True (it has a comma splice) or 'F' for False (it does not).

1. The cat purred loudly, it rubbed against my leg.

2. We went to the park, and we played on the swings.

3. The movie was exciting, I stayed up late to watch it.

Rewrite each sentence to correct the comma splice. You can use a semicolon, a coordinating conjunction (with a comma), or separate the clauses into two sentences.

1. The sun was setting, the sky turned a beautiful orange.

2. Sarah loves to draw, she spends hours sketching in her notebook.

3. My phone battery died, I couldn't call my friend.

Rewrite the following paragraph, correcting any comma splices you find. There are three comma splices to correct.

The school fair was a huge success, many students attended. We played carnival games, we ate delicious food. I won a prize at the ring toss, it was a giant stuffed animal.

Choose the sentence that is grammatically correct and does NOT contain a comma splice.

1. Which sentence is correct?

2. Which sentence is correct?