CAUTION English commas and Chinese commas behave differently!

What is a comma splice? In English, a comma cannot join two complete thoughts (independent clauses). A comma used in this way is a comma splice.

Two independent clauses joined with a comma…. Independent Clauses 1) I have a dog 2) His name is Blackie

…make a comma splice! I have a dog, his name is Blackie.

FIVE WAYS TO CORRECT A COMMA SPLICE

COMMA SPLICE Our hosts might take us mountain climbing or swimming under a waterfall, whatever activity we choose, our stay in Taitung will be a memorable one.

Method 1: Make two sentences. COMMA SPLICE: Our hosts might take us mountain climbing or swimming under a waterfall, whatever activity we choose, our stay in Taitung will be a memorable one. CORRECTED: Our hosts might take us mountain climbing or swimming under a waterfall. Whatever activity we choose, our stay in Taitung will be a memorable one.

COMMA SPLICE Ben and Sam often quarreled violently, then they would make up and act as if nothing had happened.

Method 2: Add a coordinating conjunction (“and,” “but,” etc.) COMMA SPLICE: Ben and Sam often quarreled violently, then they would make up and act as if nothing had happened. CORRECTED: Ben and Sam often quarreled violently, but afterwards they would make up and act as if nothing had happened. Note: The word then is not a conjunction—it cannot be used to join clauses!

COMMA SPLICE I cannot believe how disorderly the barbershop in the photograph is, it is truly an assault to the eyes.

Method 3: Change the comma to a semi-colon. COMMA SPLICE: I cannot believe how disorderly the barbershop in the photograph is, it is truly an assault to the eyes. CORRECTED: I cannot believe how disorderly the barbershop in the photograph is; it is truly an assault to the eyes.

COMMA SPLICE The health risks of cell phones have not been proved, nonetheless, experts recommend that people limit cell phone use.

Method 3: Change the comma to a semi-colon. COMMA SPLICE: The health risks of cell phones have not been proved, nonetheless, experts recommend that people limit cell phone use. CORRECTED: The health risks of cell phones have not been proved; nonetheless, experts recommend that people limit cell phone use.

COMMA SPLICE Many birds have transparent eyelids, these eyelids serve as goggles to keep their eyes clean and to reduce glare.

Method 4: Subordinate one of the clauses. COMMA SPLICE: Many birds have transparent eyelids, these eyelids serve as goggles to keep their eyes clean and to reduce glare. CORRECTED: Many birds have transparent eyelids that serve as goggles to keep their eyes clean and to reduce glare.

COMMA SPLICE My accident taught me one very important lesson, wearing a motorcycle helmet can save one’s life.

Method 5: Replace the comma with a colon. COMMA SPLICE: My accident taught me one very important lesson, wearing a motorcycle helmet can save one’s life. CORRECTED: My accident taught me one very important lesson: wearing a motorcycle helmet can save one’s life.

Do you have “comma sense”?

COMMA SPLICES: EXERCISE

1. Often when someone else is speaking to us, their words go in one ear and out the other, we are only thinking of what to say next.

COMMA SPLICES: EXERCISE 2. This exam is going to be extremely difficult, you had better start studying for it immediately.

COMMA SPLICES: EXERCISE 3. Professor Wang spends a lot of time translating ancient texts on Chinese medicine, however, he also stays informed about the latest developments in modern asthma treatments.

COMMA SPLICES: EXERCISE 4. As I was crossing the street, I suddenly saw a car rushing toward me, then everything went black.

COMMA SPLICES: EXERCISE 5. The accident kept replaying in my mind, it was a terrible memory.

6. My mother always says that stress is just one more problem to solve, according to her, you just have to deal with it.

COMMA SPLICES: EXERCISE 7. I am a 27-year old Japanese student at National Taiwan Normal University, I am studying Chinese language education.

COMMA SPLICES: EXERCISE 8. I love the season of winter, I think that winter in Japan would be very beautiful.

COMMA SPLICES: EXERCISE 9. The world is a rainbow of color, and each color brings different feelings to different people. Now and then, you can try some new colors, maybe you will make some discoveries about yourself.

COMMA SPLICES: EXERCISE 10. I have gone through some conflicts with my roommates, because we have different ways of thinking, at first we found it difficult to get along.