A reminder about comma splices

I used to never notice comma splices. Now I see them everywhere.

It's not that I don't like cake, it's that I'm full.

It's easy to see why the writer of a sentence like that one didn't think to break it in two. It's common to put two complete ideas into a single sentence. But usually, that means inserting a conjunction.

I appreciate the offer of cake, but I'm full.

Without a conjunction to join them, two complete clauses separated by a comma create a comma splice, which is an error. But it's easy to fix. If a conjunction can play a logical role between the clauses, you can insert one.

He sings and he dances.

If not, you can break the comma-splice sentence in two.

He sings. He dances.

Or you can use a semicolon.

He sings; he dances.

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