Spoonful #60: THE COMMA SPLICE

This spoonful covers the #1 source of most comma drama: THE COMMA SPLICE. Here's the definition: when two complete sentences are connected with a comma. That, my friends, is a gigantic no-no!

(P.S.: The image defines a different kind of splice!)

Let's start with two complete sentences:
(1st) Jody loved to walk the backwoods trails with her dog.
(2nd) They walked almost every day. 

To create a dreaded comma splice, chunk those sentences together with a comma:
Jody loved to walk the backwoods trails with her dog, they walked almost every day. 

Since that doesn't work, what does? There are THREE correct choices!

CHOICE#1: Using periods
Jody loved to walk the backwoods trails with her dog. They walked almost every day. 

CHOICE #2: Using a comma + a FANBOY
Jody loved to walk the backwoods trails with her dog, and they walked almost every day. 

CHOICE: #3: Using a semicolon
Jody loved to walk the backwoods trails with her dog; they walked almost every day. 

For more details about FANBOYS and proper semicolon usage, check out these earlier spoonfuls: 
Spoonful #9: MEET THE FANBOYS 
Spoonful #10: FANBOYS STRIKE AGAIN
Spoonful #7: SEMICOLONS SPEAK OUT

I hope you found this spoonful useful and easy to understand. In my humble opinion, brushing up on grammar, vocabulary, and punctuation is a great thing to do when stuck at home. Stay safe, everybody! I'll be back next Sunday with a new spoonful. 

Sincerely,
Laura Fineberg Cooper

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