ACT English: Fix Comma Splices with This One-Minute Test

A comma splice joins two independent clauses with only a comma, which is wrong. To catch it, use this test: (1) Find each comma in the sentence. (2) Look at what comes before and after. (3) Ask, "Is there a complete thought before the comma?" (4) Ask, "Is there a complete thought after the comma?" If both answers are yes, you have a splice. This four-step check catches every comma splice on the test because it isolates the problem mechanically.

Example: "The storm arrived suddenly, everyone rushed indoors." Before the comma: "The storm arrived suddenly" (complete). After the comma: "everyone rushed indoors" (complete). Splice confirmed. Fix it by replacing the comma with a period, semicolon, or adding a conjunction: "The storm arrived suddenly. Everyone rushed indoors." or "The storm arrived suddenly; everyone rushed indoors." or "The storm arrived suddenly, and everyone rushed indoors."

Fix 1: Replace the comma with a period. Fix 2: Replace the comma with a semicolon. Fix 3: Keep the comma and add a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, so, yet, for). Fix 4: Add a subordinating conjunction (because, although, if, while) to make one clause dependent. Fix 5: Separate into two sentences. Each fix is valid; pick the one that reads most smoothly for the context.

Example: "The assignment was due Monday, she finished it Sunday." Fix 3: "The assignment was due Monday, and she finished it Sunday." Fix 4: "Because the assignment was due Monday, she finished it Sunday." Both correct; context determines which fits better.

Sentence 1: "The alarm rang at six, no one woke up." Sentence 2: "The recipe called for sugar, salt was added instead." Sentence 3: "The concert started late, thousands of fans waited patiently." For each, (1) apply the diagnostic test, (2) identify the comma splice if present, (3) choose one of the five fixes, (4) rewrite the sentence. Check your work by reading aloud; spliced sentences feel awkward when spoken. Comma splices are the single most common error on ACT English, so drill this skill until you spot them instantly.

Sample repairs: Sentence 1: "The alarm rang at six, but no one woke up." Sentence 2: "The recipe called for sugar; salt was added instead." Sentence 3: "The concert started late, and thousands of fans waited patiently." If your repairs differ, make sure you fixed the splice using one of the five methods.

Comma splices appear on nearly every ACT English section and account for 3-5 questions per test. They are often disguised with longer clauses that make the error hard to spot at first glance, but the diagnostic test always exposes them. Mastering this one error alone can add 2-3 points to your English score because the fix is mechanical, not subjective.

Spend 15 minutes today drilling the diagnostic test on five random sentences. By test day, you should catch comma splices before you even finish reading the sentence.