Question

Read the sentence below and answer the question that follows.

The Great Hall is open to the public, you must reserve a spot in advance.
How is the comma used incorrectly in the sentence above?

Answer 1

The comma is used incorrectly in the example sentence by linking two independent clauses without a conjunction, creating a comma splice. The correct usage involves separating the clauses with a period, a semicolon, or adding a conjunction such as 'and.'

Step-by-step explanation:

The comma in the sentence 'The Great Hall is open to the public, you must reserve a spot in advance.' is used incorrectly because it improperly connects two independent clauses without the use of a conjunction. This mistake is known as a comma splice. The correct punctuation would involve using a period, a semicolon, or adding a conjunction such as 'and' or 'but' along with the comma to link the clauses properly.

For example:

• The Great Hall is open to the public; you must reserve a spot in advance.
• The Great Hall is open to the public and you must reserve a spot in advance.

Commas should not be placed after subjects, especially when they form a complete thought or sentence on their own. They should be used to separate items in a list, after introductory phrases, or to set off nonessential information in a sentence.