5 ways to fix a comma splice

A comma splice is simply a sentence in which a comma is called on to do more than is appropriate for the workaday but weak punctuation mark. When a sentence contains two independent clauses—each of which could essentially stand on its own—separated by a comma (or by nothing at all, in which case it’s called a fused sentence), employ one of these five strategies to fix the splice and create a correct connection:

1. “Of course not all companies will survive, it is our goal to give the investing public accurate information on all companies profiled.”

Divide the sentence into two (and set “Of course” off with a comma as well): “Of course, not all companies will survive. It is our goal to give the investing public accurate information on all companies profiled.”

2. “Some buildings hearken back to Main Street, USA, others offer strip-mall modernism.”

Insert a subordinating conjunction to convert either clause into a subordinate clause (one that depends on the other to be the main clause): “Some buildings hearken back to Main Street, USA, while others offer strip mall modernism.” (While could, alternatively, begin the sentence.)