1
Splice: The draft is finished, the citations still need checking. Repair: The draft is finished, but the citations still need checking.
8 Comma Splice Examples
Use these examples to study structure, specificity, tone, and variation. They are demonstrations—not claims about a real person or organization unless the example itself makes that explicit.
Before you copy
What to notice in the examples
The best repair depends on the relationship between the clauses: use a period for separation, a semicolon for a close connection, a coordinating conjunction for an explicit link, or subordination when one idea should depend on the other.
- Confirm that both sides of the comma can stand as complete sentences.
- Choose a repair based on meaning, not only punctuation.
- Use a coordinating conjunction after the comma when the relationship fits.
- Use subordination when one clause provides time, reason, condition, or contrast.
2
Splice: The rain stopped, we left the shelter. Repair: The rain stopped; we left the shelter.
3
Splice: I called the office, nobody answered. Repair: I called the office. Nobody answered.
4
Splice: The route looks shorter, it takes longer during rush hour. Repair: Although the route looks shorter, it takes longer during rush hour.
5
Splice: The first test failed, however, the second test worked. Repair: The first test failed; however, the second test worked.
6
Splice: We can launch Friday, we need approval by noon. Repair: We can launch Friday if we receive approval by noon.
7
Splice: The room was quiet, everyone was reading. Repair: The room was quiet because everyone was reading.
8
Splice: She saved the file, then the power went out. Repair: She saved the file, and then the power went out.
Keep the underlying decision or pattern, then replace the subject, evidence, relationship, constraints, and tone with details that belong to your situation. If your final line still works after swapping only one noun, it may be too close to the example.