19. Coordinating Conjunctions and Comma Splices. English Grammar Lesson

Yossarian lays down the law: a comma splice is the impermissible use of a comma between independent clauses not joined by a coordinating conjunction. English language and grammar.

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• grammer
• english
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• sandor
• punctuation
• correct
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[BSANTIAGO8533]

WHEN IM GOING TO END A SENTENCE BUT I STILL HAVE A EXPLAIN THE SENTENCE DO I JUST ADD A COMMA OR I PUT A PERIOD THEN FINISH EXPLAINING THE SENTENCE?

[mrthoth]

@BSANTIAGO8533 It all depends on what that explanation consists of--an independent clause, a dependent clause, a phrase, etc. One cannot say, "Explanations are preceded by commas" or anything like that.  It depends on grammar, not rhetorical function. We cannot say, "Explanations are punctuated this way" or "Apologies are punctuated that way," etc.

[utuser101]

It's when I try to spot clauses in natural, contextualised language I struggle. Consider

"BHP Billiton, the world's largest miner, has closed a nickel refinery in Western Australia for about four months while it rebuilds a smelter furnace, sending the price of nickel soaring." I think in this example "closed" is a past participle and accordingly should indicate dependent clause but it has to be an independent clause because it expresses a complete thought, right? Help please :)

[mrthoth]

The sentence you provide is one independent clause, and it contains one dependent clause within it ("while it rebuilds a smelter furnace"). The verb in the independent clause is "has closed". "Closed" is a past participle, but the presence of a past participle does not indicate the existence of a dependent clause. I would hate to try to explain what an "incomplete" or "complete" thought is. It's better just to say that an independent clause can stand alone as a sentence.

[Teddygram51]

Hi there, I was wondering are imperative commands, for example "get it!", considered independent clauses. The fact that most omit the subject makes it confusing.

In addition, you said "Good news!" in your last reply on this page. Im not sure if that's considered an interjection, however, would that be an idependent clause?

Overall, in the examples above, are they both considered sentence fragments if they are not independent clauses.

Thank you for your time. Your videos Rock!

[mrthoth]

Thanks for your comment. In English, the subject in imperative sentences (commands) are assumed. So "Get it!" really means "[You] get it." Thus it does count as an independent clause. "Good news," however, is not an independent clause. Much of the time we speak in sentence fragments. If asked, "Where are you going," a natural response would be "Home." But "Home" isn't an independent clause. What one means, however, is "[I am going] home." Context provides the missing material.

[nicosheldonflorendo]

You a teacher? because, i wish they explained this to me,like you did.

[ricardoquail]

Very helpful and easy to understand!

Thank you

[Tomorrowmayb2late]

I wish you had been my English teacher years ago, Who knows I probably would have been a stronger writer today.

[BSANTIAGO8533]

@mrthoth Thank you very much

[770buddyboy]

thanx dude

[MrDevin666]

You're much more better than this famous "Grammatically Correct" book I'm reading, you're much more clear and to the point. I tip my hat to you sir.

[the3hobo]

When do you use a comma? In the phrase, "it is sad, yet funny," you put in a comma before yet. However, in the phrase "He ran out of the house and into the woods," you did not put a comma. When should one be used?

[2k8bomb]

Very good video, I like it. <--- That would be a comma splice wouldn't it? :P

[awsome2Dmax]

this was actually really helpful