How do i fix the comma splice in this sentance: Some organisms aren't trying to be mean, they're just doing what needs to be done to survive.
Comma splice
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A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined by a comma with no conjunction. For example:
It is nearly half past five, we cannot reach town before dark.
It is usually considered an error in both British and American English. It is condemned in The Elements of Style.[1]
Simply removing the comma does not correct the error, but results in a run-on sentence. There are several acceptable ways to correct this:
Change the comma to a semicolon:
It is nearly half past five; we cannot reach town before dark.
Write the two clauses as two separate sentences:
It is nearly half past five. We cannot reach town before dark.
Insert a coordinating conjunction following the comma:
It is nearly half past five, and we cannot reach town before dark.
It is nearly half past five, so we cannot reach town before dark.
Make one clause dependent on the other:
As it is nearly half past five, we cannot reach town before dark.
Comma splices are sometimes acceptable when the clauses are short and alike in form, such as:
The gate swung apart, the bridge fell, the portcullis was drawn up.
(Examples adapted from the online 1918 edition of The Elements of Style.)
(source : wikipedia)
There are three ways to fix comma splices:
1. Delete the comma; insert a period; capitalize the first letter of the next word. (You'll have made 2 sentences.)
2. Turn the comma into a semicolon. (You'll have made a compound sentence.)
3. Add one of the FANBOYS conjunctions after the comma. (You'll have made a compound sentence.)
Which one would you choose for this?
??
i think i would insert a semicolen. does that work okay?
AllyKat's quote from Wikipedia is correct.
Your sentence: Some organisms aren't trying to be mean, they're just doing what needs to be done to survive.
Your comma splice is is an incorrect comma between the two independent clauses. How do you think you can correct this sentence? We'll be glad to check your revision.
Yes, a semicolon would work just fine.
=)
Yes! :-) You should use a semicolon instead of the comma.
Thank you! :)
You're welcome. :-)
To fix the comma splice in the sentence "Some organisms aren't trying to be mean, they're just doing what needs to be done to survive," you can use one of the following methods:
1. Replace the comma with a period:
"Some organisms aren't trying to be mean. They're just doing what needs to be done to survive."
2. Use a coordinating conjunction (such as "and," "but," "or") after the comma to join the two independent clauses:
"Some organisms aren't trying to be mean, but they're just doing what needs to be done to survive."
3. Convert one of the independent clauses into a dependent clause:
"Some organisms aren't trying to be mean because they're just doing what needs to be done to survive."
By following these suggestions, you can avoid comma splices and make the sentence grammatically correct.