What is the Difference Between Comma Splice and Fused Sentence

The main difference between comma splice and fused sentence is that a comma splice is a sentence error a writer makes by using a comma alone to combine two independent clauses, whereas a fused sentence is created when the writer tries to connect two independent clauses without using any kind of punctuation at all.

Both coma splices and fused sentences are common sentence errors most of us make. When we try to insert too much information into one sentence, errors like these usually happen. Such writing often confuses the readers and gives an impression of disorganization and ignorance.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Comma Splice 
     – Definition, Examples
2. What is a Fused Sentence
     – Definition, Examples
3. Similarities – Comma Splice and Fused Sentence
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Comma Splice and Fused Sentence
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Comma Splice, Error, Fused Sentence

What is a Comma Splice

A comma splice is a sentence error where a writer combines two independent clauses using only a comma and no conjunction. In standard writing, a comma splice is considered to be a punctuation error. This is because a comma is not powerful enough to connect two independent clauses.

For example, look at this sentence:

Chives are not actually vegetables, they are a variety of herbs.

Here, the two clauses are connected using a comma. But this combination is grammatically incorrect.

A comma splice is an easily fixable mistake. There are three ways to fix a comma splice:  adding a conjunction, changing the comma to a semicolon, or turning each independent clause into an individual sentence.

Therefore, we can change the above error as below:

Chives are not actually vegetables, and they are a variety of herbs.

Chives are not actually vegetables; they are a variety of herbs.

Chives are not actually vegetables. They are a variety of herbs.

What is a Fused Sentence

A fused sentence is an error where two independent clauses are incorrectly placed together without using any punctuation or coordinating conjunction. Therefore, the structure of a fused sentence has one independent clause followed by another. For instance,

I wanted to be an air hostess then now I don’t.

Just like a comma splice, fixing a fused sentence is also not a difficult task. Several easy ways to fix a fused sentence include the addition of a period after the first independent clause and capitalization of the next word, addition of a semicolon just after the first independent clause or the addition of a comma and a coordinating conjunction right after the first independent clause.

Therefore, we can change the above error as below:

I wanted to be an air hostess then.  Now I don’t.

I wanted to be an air hostess then; now I don’t.

I wanted to be an air hostess then, but I now I don’t.

Similarities Between Comma Splice and Fused Sentence

• Comma splice and fused sentence are two common punctuation errors made by the writers.
• Both are two easily fixable errors.
• However, they are both unacceptable when it comes to a standard piece of writing.
• Both comma splices and fused sentences come alive when the writers try to join two independent clauses in a single sentence in an incorrect way.
• These are sentence boundary errors, and there are a number of ways to fix them.

Difference Between Comma Splice and Fused Sentence

Definition

A comma splice refers to a sentence error where a comma is used to separate two independent clauses, while a fused sentence is an error where two independent clauses are incorrectly placed together without using any punctuation or coordinating conjunction.

Punctuation

A comma splice involves a comma whereas a fused sentence does not involve any punctuation. 

Ways of Fixing

You can easily fix a comma splice by adding conjunction, changing the comma to a semicolon, or turning each independent clause into an individual sentence. In order to fix a fused sentence, you can do several things: addition of a period after the first independent clause and capitalization the next word, addition of a semicolon just after the first independent clause or the addition of a comma and a coordinating conjunction right after the first independent clause.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the main difference between comma splice and fused sentence is comma splice indicates a sentence error that uses a comma to combine two independent clauses, whereas a fused sentence is a sentence error made when the writer tries to connect two independent clauses without using any kind of punctuation at all. However, both comma splice and fused sentence are two common, easily fixable writing errors.

Reference

1. “Comma Splices and Fused Sentences.” University of Houston-Victoria.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Writing-pad-hand-pen-envelope” (CC0) via Pixabay (Modified)

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