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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Comma splicing!?
Is the comma splicing correct?!!?
Ben Carson, Susan's son, is a very smart boy.
I am currently reading The Elements of Style <-That's supposed to be underlined right? by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White. Strunk and White said to NOT use a comma splice between a restrictive term of identification. In my sentence above, "Susan's son" is a restrictive term is it not? If I take out the comma splice it sounds awkward!
Any clarification would be greatly appreciated!
Ben Carson, Susan's son, is a very smart boy.
I am currently reading The Elements of Style <-That's supposed to be underlined right? by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White. Strunk and White said to NOT use a comma splice between a restrictive term of identification. In my sentence above, "Susan's son" is a restrictive term is it not? If I take out the comma splice it sounds awkward!
Any clarification would be greatly appreciated!
Top answer
First, that is not an instance of 'comma splice'; 'comma splice' is an error, the incorrect joining of 2 independent clauses with a comma only. Your commas are fine. They are setting off a non-restrictive appositive.
- First, that is not an instance of 'comma splice'; 'comma splice' is an error, the incorrect joining of 2 independent clauses with a comma only.
- Your commas are fine.
- They are setting off a non-restrictive appositive.
- Ben's name alone identifies him.
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2 Answers
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First, that is not an instance of 'comma splice'; 'comma splice' is an error, the incorrect joining of 2 independent clauses with a comma only.
Your commas are fine. They are setting off a non-restrictive appositive. Ben's name alone identifies him.
Your commas are fine. They are setting off a non-restrictive appositive. Ben's name alone identifies him.
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You are confused about the term 'comma splice'.
When two sentences are put together as one and separated by a comma, this is an error known as 'a comma splice'.
We vacationed in Hawaii. We enjoyed it very much. < Correct.
We vacationed in Hawaii, we enjoyed it very much.< Incorrect. The error is 'comma splice'.
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When two sentences are put together as one and separated by a comma, this is an error known as 'a comma splice'.
We vacationed in Hawaii. We enjoyed it very much. < Correct.
We vacationed in Hawaii, we enjoyed it very much.< Incorrect. The error is 'comma splice'.
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