Comma Splices and How to Fix Them (SAT & ACT)

 Comma Splice = Two Sentences Separated by a Comma

The comma splice is one of the most frequently tested errors on both the SAT (Fixing Sentences only) and the ACT. Comma splices trump all other stylistic issues, which means that no matter how good a sentence sounds otherwise, it cannot be correct if it contains one.

Comma Splice: Many products claim to reduce cold symptoms, not all of them are effective.

Fixing Comma Splices

The three most common ways to fix comma splices are as follows:

1) Add a coordinating conjunction after the comma
      
Coordinating Conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

Correct: Many products claim to reduce cold symptoms, but not all of them are effective.


2) Replace the comma with a semicolon only OR a semicolon + however/therefore

Correct: Many products claim to reduce cold symptoms; not all of them are effective.

Correct: Many products claim to reduce cold symptoms; however, not all of them are effective.


3) Replace the comma with a period (ACT only)

Correct: Many products claim to reduce cold symptoms. Not all of them are effective.


ACT English hint: whenever you see answer choices that include a semicolon, a period, and a comma + and/but, you can automatically eliminate all of those options. They are exactly equivalent to one another, and the ACT will never make you choose between two equally correct answers.