Common mistake comma between independent clauses

Introduction

When it comes to writing, using proper punctuation is essential for clear and effective communication. One common mistake that people often make is forgetting to use commas between independent clauses. In this article, we will explore when and how to use commas to separate independent clauses to improve your writing skills.

The Rule

According to the rule of comma usage, a comma should be used before a coordinating conjunction that connects two independent clauses. However, there is an exception to this rule if the independent clauses are closely connected and short.

Let's take a look at an example:

Incorrect: I went to the store and I bought some groceries.
Correct: I went to the store, and I bought some groceries.

In the incorrect example, there is no comma separating the two independent clauses. By adding a comma before the coordinating conjunction "and," we create two separate clauses, making the sentence clearer and easier to read.

Now, let's examine the exception:

Correct: I went to the store and bought some groceries.

In this example, the two independent clauses "I went to the store" and "bought some groceries" are closely connected and short. Therefore, no comma is needed between them.

Common Mistakes

Here are some common mistakes to watch out for when using commas between independent clauses:

Incorrect: She cooked dinner and then washed the dishes.
Correct: She cooked dinner, and then she washed the dishes.

Incorrect: He studied hard for his exam but still didn't pass.
Correct: He studied hard for his exam, but he still didn't pass.

In the incorrect example, there is no comma separating the two independent clauses. By adding a comma before the coordinating conjunction "but," we create two separate clauses, improving the clarity of the sentence.

Using Linguix Grammar Checker

The Linguix grammar checker is a helpful tool for improving your writing skills. It can automatically detect and correct punctuation errors, including missing commas between independent clauses. By using Linguix, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and grammatically correct.

comma between independent clauses mistake examples

Incorrect:
She really purchased the car but she declined the extended warranty.

Correct:
She really purchased the car, but she declined the extended warranty.
Incorrect:
I wrote the device integration for them so we can now pull the data in the ecosystem.

Correct:
I wrote the device integration for them, so we can now pull the data in the ecosystem.
Incorrect:
Or, you know, leave the imbalance where it is so they can sell Weapon Upgrade packs.

Correct:
Or, you know, leave the imbalance where it is, so they can sell Weapon Upgrade packs.
Incorrect:
It would help a lot if we could know what the referring URL was so we can load the page in context.

Correct:
It would help a lot if we could know what the referring URL was, so we can load the page in context.
Incorrect:
He gave the picture to his daughter and she was so surprised that she forgot to say "thank you".

Correct:
He gave the picture to his daughter, and she was so surprised that she forgot to say "thank you".
Incorrect:
I need to borrow some money so I can buy some medicine for Tom.

Correct:
I need to borrow, some money, so I can buy, some medicine for Tom.
Incorrect:
I tried to convert her to Islam but she politely declined.

Correct:
I tried to convert her to Islam, but she politely declined.
Incorrect:
BOD meeting is next week and we all have to jump for it.

Correct:
BOD meeting is next week, and we all have to jump for it.
Incorrect:
Tom dyed his hair gray so he'd look older.

Correct:
Tom dyed his hair gray, so he'd look older.
Incorrect:
Someone needs to reach McDonald so we can ask him about it.

Correct:
Someone needs to reach McDonald, so we can ask him about it.
Incorrect:
Can you give me deal numbers for those as well and we can take a peak and see why they were not killed.

Correct:
Can you give me deal numbers for those as well, and we can take a peak, and see why they were not killed.
Incorrect:
I get into town on June 23 and I fly out the next Sunday.

Correct:
I get into town on June 23, and I fly out the next Sunday.
Incorrect:
I'm 27 and I graduated from UT 4 1/2 years ago.

Correct:
I'm 27, and I graduated from UT 4 1/2 years ago.
Incorrect:
I voted for him in 2008 and I plan to stick with him in 2012.

Correct:
I voted for him in 2008, and I plan to stick with him in 2012.
Incorrect:
I'm already twenty and I have no idea what I want to do with my life.

Correct:
I'm already twenty, and I have no idea what I want to do with my life.
Incorrect:
I bought it for my girlfriend so after I tested it I took it to her house.

Correct:
I bought it for my girlfriend, so after I tested it I took it to her house.
Incorrect:
Alexa reports that the device is unresponsive although it does indeed turn it on.

Correct:
Alexa reports that the device is unresponsive, although it does indeed turn it on.
Incorrect:
I don’t believe in aliens, vampires, and werewolves although they try to convince me they exist.

Correct:
I don’t believe in aliens, vampires, and werewolves, although they try to convince me they exist.
Incorrect:
I know one too although he hasn’t retired I think.

Correct:
I know one too, although he hasn’t retired I think.
Incorrect:
Let's continue to talk and hopefully I can add a position down the road that will make more sense for everyone at that time.

Correct:
Let's continue to talk, and hopefully I can add a position down the road that will make more sense for everyone at that time.
Incorrect:
Something happens and immediately we react rather than just noticing.

Correct:
Something happens, and immediately we react rather than just noticing.
Incorrect:
They will transact at some point, maybe not until next week but they will do something.

Correct:
They will transact at some point, maybe not until next week, but they will do something.
Incorrect:
If she could she would but we won't let her.

Correct:
If she could she would, but we won't let her.
Incorrect:
That way you always have a phone on you and you can voice call or text.

Correct:
That way you always have a phone on you, and you can voice call or text.
Incorrect:
I have run some report queries and it appears that although they have read the ETA and have about 10 users they have never traded online.

Correct:
I have run some report queries, and it appears that although they have read the ETA, and have about 10 users they have never traded online.
Incorrect:
Thank you but I’m trying to avoid running wires down this wall for another switch.

Correct:
Thank you, but I’m trying to avoid running wires down this wall for another switch.
Incorrect:
I mentioned that I might call you and he has no problem with that.

Correct:
I mentioned that I might call you, and he has no problem with that.
Incorrect:
She asked about you and she didn't know Jill and Matt had a baby.

Correct:
She asked about you, and she didn't know Jill, and Matt had a baby.
Incorrect:
I can submit the claim here and bill you or I can submit the claim to you.

Correct:
I can submit the claim here and bill you, or I can submit the claim to you.
Incorrect:
I just bundled west and east so you can ignore them.

Correct:
I just bundled west and east, so you can ignore them.
Incorrect:
Sharen has inquired once before and we were under the impression that the deals were separate and not included.

Correct:
Sharen has inquired once before, and we were under the impression that the deals were separate, and not included.
Incorrect:
They are calling people directly now and we need to stop that.

Correct:
They are calling people directly now, and we need to stop that.
Incorrect:
Cash is king for now and we need thepricing to get the rest of the cash.

Correct:
Cash is king for now, and we need thepricing to get the rest of the cash.
Incorrect:
Let me know if you are going for sure and I will call back and reserve spots for us.

Correct:
Let me know if you are going for sure, and I will call back, and reserve spots for us.
Incorrect:
Second, it is quite old and our forms have evolved since then and we would not want to replicate this form.

Correct:
Second, it is quite old, and our forms have evolved since then, and we would not want to replicate this form.
Incorrect:
I talked with Abbott Building Co. today and they said the building for this project should be ready in about a week.

Correct:
I talked with Abbott Building Co. today, and they said the building for this project should be ready in about a week.
Incorrect:
I think Little Woodrow's is on for tonight although I'm still waiting to see if my brother and his wife want to go out tonight.

Correct:
I think Little Woodrow's is on for tonight, although I'm still waiting to see if my brother and his wife want to go out tonight.
Incorrect:
I seem to remember that our traders in Singapore did a deal with a PRC company a while back and it was our conclusion at the time that it was a very dangerous (perhaps unenforceable) thing to do.

Correct:
I seem to remember that our traders in Singapore did a deal with a PRC company a while back, and it was our conclusion at the time that it was a very dangerous (perhaps unenforceable) thing to do.
Incorrect:
They've acted irresponsibly and immorally and it has to stop.

Correct:
They've acted irresponsibly, and immorally, and it has to stop.
Incorrect:
Please confirm if you plan to be there or not so I can make reservations.

Correct:
Please confirm if you plan to be there or not, so I can make reservations.
Incorrect:
I'm taking the first full week of Sept. off and it would be easiest for me to get everything done then if that's okay with y'all.

Correct:
I'm taking the first full week of Sept. off, and it would be easiest for me to get everything done then if that's okay with y'all.
Incorrect:
She has placed her property and home on the market for $220K and she is planning to close on a new home during the month of December.

Correct:
She has placed her property, and home on the market for $220K, and she is planning to close on a new home during the month of December.
Incorrect:
We got him a fisher price farm for Christmas and he had just opened that when he opened the horses.

Correct:
We got him a fisher price farm for Christmas, and he had just opened that when he opened the horses.
Incorrect:
Vince, Kevin Hannon is the executive lead for Cornell and he needs to approve.

Correct:
Vince, Kevin Hannon is the executive lead for Cornell, and he needs to approve.
Incorrect:
Sami went looking for Layla and he found her backpack.

Correct:
Sami went looking for Layla, and he found her backpack.
Incorrect:
We checked Edgar for him and he didn't come up in any of the filings.

Correct:
We checked Edgar for him, and he didn't come up in any of the filings.
Correct:
Judge for yourself and you won't be judged.
Incorrect:
His sons were kings Chimalpilli II and Cuauhtémoc and he also had one daughter.

Correct:
His sons were kings Chimalpilli II, and Cuauhtémoc, and he also had one daughter.
Incorrect:
I am not sure what Kevin is looking at, but Jenny's 2001 Plan had $17.4MM and we are currently forecasting $17.3MM for 2001.

Correct:
I am not sure what Kevin is looking at, but Jenny's 2001 Plan had $17.4MM, and we are currently forecasting $17.3MM for 2001.
Incorrect:
Thanks for your help, I have talked with Mr. Shaw and we are all set.

Correct:
Thanks for your help, I have talked with Mr. Shaw, and we are all set.
Incorrect:
The problems in OPEC have shaken investor confidence and therefore we think that energy will lag in a rally of the cyclicals.

Correct:
The problems in OPEC have shaken investor confidence, and therefore we think that energy will lag in a rally of the cyclicals.
Incorrect:
Please let me know what you decide to do and again I am sorry about the confusion.

Correct:
Please let me know what you decide to do, and again I am sorry about the confusion.
Incorrect:
They probably planned for the students to park in the garages but instead they are used as extra rooms.

Correct:
They probably planned for the students to park in the garages, but instead they are used as extra rooms.
Incorrect:
I know that and I'd do a lot for her.

Correct:
I know that, and I'd do a lot for her.
Incorrect:
We immediately need to start the drafting of the Longview turbine contract and I'd like to see if we are close enough to get that started.

Correct:
We immediately need to start the drafting of the Longview turbine contract, and I'd like to see if we are close enough to get that started.
Incorrect:
On my second day of work we had a major bomb threat at Hoover Tower and I've already filed one police report of suspected terrorist activity.

Correct:
On my second day of work we had a major bomb threat at Hoover Tower, and I've already filed one police report of suspected terrorist activity.
Incorrect:
Just sign up for MCI WorldCom Long Distance and you'll receive 500 CoolPoints each month during your first 4 months as an MCI WorldCom customer.

Correct:
Just sign up for MCI WorldCom Long Distance, and you'll receive 500 CoolPoints each month during your first 4 months as an MCI WorldCom customer.
Correct:
I need it so I can open the door.
Correct:
They played so badly it doesn't even deserve a comment.
Correct:
I don't think that you and I'll be able to do that by ourselves.
Correct:
1980 – Carolina Crescentini, Italian actress If you bite your fingernails, sooner or later you will make your fingers bleed.
Correct:
I know sooner or later I'm going to have to do that if no one else does.
Correct:
Tom said he wondered if Mary and I'd really be able to do that by ourselves.
Correct:
I have not yet completed a bullet point outline of the settlement proposal for Stan to send to Davis after Stan and he meet.
Correct:
I assumed that you and I'd do that together.
Correct:
Fernley may have made you aware of his decision with Tani when you and he talked yesterday.
Correct:
We also think it is important that you and we have sight of the exact wording of the test method to see whether on its face it is inappropriate for condensate.
Correct:
Tom said that you and he went camping last weekend.
Correct:
There are always exceptions, and every so often it’s rather a tendency of favored spellings than a fixed rule.
Correct:
Tom said you and he went camping last weekend.
Correct:
I don't think that you and I'll be able to do that by ourselves.
Correct:
Mike, you or I should let Rex know that a couple of these additional tweaks are coming through this other channel.
Correct:
I think past negotiations have not gone as well as you or I would have liked.
Correct:
I wouldn't want anyone to perceive that you or I are doing anything to discourage students from considering Enron as their first choice.
Correct:
Since there are no black and white answers, it probably would be useful to have a meeting to discuss our thoughts and address questions that we and you all may have.
Correct:
Let me know and you or I can call Andy Ott about this.
Correct:
You speak so loudly I can even hear you on the first floor.
Correct:
Let's look at some truths about life and how quickly and easily we can move away from them.
Correct:
The very fact that you put Enron's current problems on the table shows how strongly and genuinely you feel about the firm being secure and stable.
Correct:
Not only they but also I was scolded by the teacher.
Correct:
Oh, say, can you see, the dawn’s early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Correct:
I will let you know what those items are and when we expect to bill them.
Correct:
Analcime is usually classified as a zeolite mineral, but structurally and chemically it is more similar to the feldspathoids.
Correct:
I need a car so I can come see you.
Correct:
When you serve the monastic assembly, they and you should taste only the flavour of the Ocean of Reality, the Ocean of unobscured Awake Awareness, not whether or not the soup is creamy or made only of wild herbs.
Correct:
Not merely I but also he is invited to the party.
Correct:
No Hub is required, but you cannot simulate a Hub.
Correct:
My hubby and I used to go mountain climbing together.
Correct:
I want a wife and children, and so I need a house.
Correct:
Last Sunday, Mary and I went to the zoo.
Correct:
Where are Mary and I going?
Correct:
She asked where Mary and I were going.
Correct:
Hades was not, however, an evil god, for although he was stern, cruel, and unpitying, he was still just.
Correct:
When we were kids, Tom and I did a lot of things together.
Correct:
I think I have to go on a lower dose just so I can afford them.
Correct:
This is where Tim and I live.
Correct:
I think Tom and I agree.
Correct:
Note that although I’d love offline features, the size of the App is important to me as well.
Correct:
During the conference call, Mr. Lay said that although he regrets Mr. Skilling's decision, he has never felt better about the company.
Correct:
This is so you can quickly respond to my email.
Correct:
We have already identified our lower performers across Operations and IT as well.
Correct:
I think tom and I agree.
Correct:
Because Mike still wants Richard's business, and Mike and I are close, Mike is likely to be pretty forthcoming if Richard or I ask him what is going on.
Correct:
Or so he seemed, his sayings were so wise.
Correct:
I think tom and you agree.
Correct:
Lee Johnson is asking about the breakout contract for LV Co Genn and when it will be ready.
Correct:
I am really curious about Frank Vickers and when he is avail.
Correct:
Once again , this is so we may share in the Christmas Spirit and show our appreciation for one another.
Correct:
In doing so they involved themselves in some misunderstandings of history and in some confusion of theology.
Correct:
Victor, Robert or I will send through some meter request next week.
Correct:
I would like to incorporate my security system into the SmartThings Platform, especially so I can use Amazon Alexa to ARM the system at night.
Correct:
I still can't believe Mary and I are getting married.
Correct:
I love Tim and he loves me.
Correct:
No one is obliged to do more than what he or she can.
Correct:
Either you or he is wrong.
Correct:
But my friends and I spent the summer together in the sun.
Correct:
I thought you and he were happy.
Correct:
The attachment is the punch list we discussed last night that outlines what party is responsible for making what notification to the DEQ and when it is required.
Correct:
The 3rd and I will never become friends.
Correct:
so I think you’re reading my questions/requests right.
Correct:
Tom couldn't find anybody to go with him, and so he went by himself.
Correct:
Just so we're clear, that was Tom's idea, not mine.
Correct:
Either they are not happy together or there is another problem.
Correct:
It's so we can go to the game together.
Correct:
Did you know that it was so they could go to the game together?
Correct:
Some changes were for safety, but some of them were so we could do the job quickly.
Correct:
His daughter and he often texted each other inside their own home.
Correct:
His handsome brothers and she often went to exotic locations for extended weekend holidays.
Correct:
The 'important official' was, or so it may reasonably be assumed, a man named Peter Smollett, later unmasked as a Soviet agent.
Correct:
Please let Casey or I know what your plans are around those holidays.
Correct:
Dave Forster or I will be contacting the point people within each group (in the "To" Header for this message) periodically to ensure prompt feedback.
Correct:
If you need ECAP deals signed, George McClellan or I can sign by fax.
Correct:
Tom, Mary, John, Alice and I used to sing together.
Correct:
The third card is for the remainder of the ETS BCP Team members, both Business and IT staff.
Correct:
FBR reports on positive developments for generic drugs and IT service providers.
Correct:
Whether this was during one of Poirot's numerous retirements or before she entered his employ is unknown.
Correct:
You used to do so before you became a university student.
Correct:
If we or they come up with any ideas, maybe it could be discussed then.
Correct:
Not only they but also I was scolded by the teacher.
Correct:
If they or you are not interested, I apologize for taking up your time today.
Correct:
No one but you could have done it this well.
Correct:
Analcime is usually classified as a zeolite mineral, but structurally and chemically it is more similar to the feldspathoids.
Correct:
The very fact that you put Enron's current problems on the table shows how strongly and genuinely you feel about the firm being secure and stable.
Correct:
Price's work was cited at the Scopes Trial of 1925, yet although he frequently solicited feedback from geologists and other scientists, they consistently disparaged his work.
Correct:
I will forward the information to you so you can update the list.
Correct:
How can I explain it to you so you would understand?
Correct:
The army reforms were not yet completed by the war of 1809, in which Charles acted as commander in chief, yet even so it proved a far more formidable opponent than the old and was only defeated after a desperate struggle involving Austrian victories and large loss of life on both sides.
Correct:
I don't think my ex-girlfriend and I'd ever start dating again.
Correct:
He didn't expect that his rather annoying wife and he'd stop loving each other.
Correct:
We had an on-off affair; a week after we split my ex-girlfriend and I'd always start dating again.
Correct:
I don't think that my former boyfriend and I'd ever start dating again.
Correct:
Her mother didn't really expect that her former lover and she'd actually get together for a second time.
Correct:
My friends aren't sure whether my former girlfriend who lives in Wales and I'd ever start dating again.
Correct:
My former girlfriend who lives in Wales and I'd occasionally talk about the old days.
Correct:
Even Biden, despite his Irish loathing for British Imperialism and it's effects on Ireland, is bound to them.
Correct:
Show Me a Strong Town and I'll Show You a Strong Bank (1966)
Correct:
The Communist Party also was outlawed, and the government defined membership so broadly it could arrest people indiscriminately, branding them Communists.

Incorrect:
Bill didn't work hard enough and so he failed.

Correct:
Bill didn't work hard enough, and so he failed.
Correct:
Alan and I am preparing a monthly trading and transactional summary, a litigation report and the TOP TEN legal risk report.
Correct:
Being open, Adam and I have different views on the direction of the organization.
Correct:
Tom, Mary, John, Alice and I used to sing together.

Incorrect:
I need to borrow some money so I can buy some medicine for Tom.

Correct:
I need to borrow, some money, so I can buy, some medicine for Tom.
Incorrect:
I have gotten better although I was told I wouldn’t improve.

Correct:
I have gotten better, although I was told I wouldn’t improve.
Correct:
I want a wife and children, and so I need a house.
Correct:
I think I have to go on a lower dose just so I can afford them.
Correct:
Are you just getting back from the gym, if so I'm impressed.

Incorrect:
My friends are in Washington but I am in Seattle.

Correct:
My friends are in Washington, but I am in Seattle.
Incorrect:
I quite liked it although I’m not quite sure why yet.

Correct:
I quite liked it, although I’m not quite sure why yet.
Incorrect:
EPRM 2001 will be held in Houston on the 14th, 15th \u0026amp; 16th of May and I am keen to start the initial research as soon as possible.

Correct:
EPRM 2001 will be held in Houston on the 14th, 15th \u0026amp; 16th of May, and I am keen to start the initial research as soon as possible.
Incorrect:
I have conducted a search on Amazon.com, Britannica.com and Dow Jones and I am coming up empty handed.

Correct:
I have conducted a search on Amazon.com, Britannica.com, and Dow Jones, and I am coming up empty handed.
Correct:
Since my home is secure and I’m white, I did nothing.
Correct:
What I am finding a bit strange is that although I am following some topics, I do not get all the messages in my stream with those topics tagged.
Correct:
Not only you but also I am in the wrong.
Correct:
Chris, Just so I'm clear....
Correct:
In fact Audrey and I am visiting BCCK this Friday to be sure we are not leaving anything else on the table which Enron could capture.
Correct:
Not only you but also I am in the wrong.

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