A comma splice is one of the most common punctuation mistakes, especially in fast writing like emails and texts.

What is a comma splice? #

A comma splice happens when two complete sentences are joined with only a comma.

I love this app, it saves me so much time.

I love this app and it saves me so much time are both complete sentences. A comma alone is too weak to hold them together.

4 ways to fix a comma splice #

1. Use a period. Split it into two sentences.

I love this app. It saves me so much time.

2. Use a semicolon. Keep the ideas close together.

I love this app; it saves me so much time.

3. Add a conjunction. Use and, but, so, or, yet, for, or nor after the comma.

I love this app, and it saves me so much time.

4. Make one part dependent. Start one clause with a word like because, since, or although.

Because it saves me so much time, I love this app.

Watch out for "however" #

However is not a conjunction, so a comma before it still creates a splice.

It was late, however we kept working. It was late; however, we kept working.

How to spot one #

Cover the comma and ask: can both halves stand alone as sentences? If yes, and there's no and/but/so after the comma, you have a comma splice.

Fix it in one tap #

AI Grammar Checker finds comma splices and run-on sentences and rewrites them into correct, natural English.