How to Correctly Use Commas in All of Your Writing
written by Alice Jansing
Even professional writers struggle with commas. In theory, everyone knows what a comma is—it’s a pause between parts of a sentence. In practice, though, it can be difficult to figure out where commas actually belong. Here’s a quick, user-friendly guide to help you master the comma in your everyday writing.
Last Updated
05/31/21
Chapters
4
Reads
357
Comma Splices (Or How Not to Use Commas)
Chapter 3
Let’s take a look at one way you shouldn’t use a comma—the comma splice.
A comma splice happens when you connect two independent clauses with a comma instead of a conjunction or other appropriate punctuation like a semicolon.
Incorrect: The kitten was cute, I wanted to take it home with me.
Aaaw. Kittens are cute. But that punctuation needs more charm . . . and maybe a nail trim.
The kitten was cute is an independent clause. It can stand alone as a sentence. The same thing applies to I wanted to take it home with me. The comma incorrectly splices the two sentences together. Let’s look at correct ways to write this sentence.
As Two Independent Sentences Separated by a Period
Correct: The kitten was cute. I wanted to take it home with me.
As Two Independent Clauses Separated by a Conjunction
Correct: The kitten was cute, so I wanted to take it home with me.
As Two Independent Clauses Separated by a Semicolon
Correct: The kitten was cute; I wanted to take it home with me.
When you use semicolons, there’s one condition—make sure the connected independent clauses are closely related to one another. In the example above, you could use therefore in place of the semicolon. Those clauses are directly related.
Don't know how to use a semicolon? I can help! Read my book: How to use a Semicolon
Here’s a tip: What punctuation should you use when you have multiple options to choose from? When in doubt, let clarity be your guide. Choose the sentence that’s easy to read and unambiguous.
A comma splice happens when you connect two independent clauses with a comma instead of a conjunction or other appropriate punctuation like a semicolon.
Incorrect: The kitten was cute, I wanted to take it home with me.
Aaaw. Kittens are cute. But that punctuation needs more charm . . . and maybe a nail trim.
The kitten was cute is an independent clause. It can stand alone as a sentence. The same thing applies to I wanted to take it home with me. The comma incorrectly splices the two sentences together. Let’s look at correct ways to write this sentence.
As Two Independent Sentences Separated by a Period
Correct: The kitten was cute. I wanted to take it home with me.
As Two Independent Clauses Separated by a Conjunction
Correct: The kitten was cute, so I wanted to take it home with me.
As Two Independent Clauses Separated by a Semicolon
Correct: The kitten was cute; I wanted to take it home with me.
When you use semicolons, there’s one condition—make sure the connected independent clauses are closely related to one another. In the example above, you could use therefore in place of the semicolon. Those clauses are directly related.
Don't know how to use a semicolon? I can help! Read my book: How to use a Semicolon
Here’s a tip: What punctuation should you use when you have multiple options to choose from? When in doubt, let clarity be your guide. Choose the sentence that’s easy to read and unambiguous.
