Business Grammar: Fused Sentences and Comma Splices

This statement contains a business grammar error. Find and correct it: I’m sorry to hear you are not feeling well. Let’s reschedule our meeting. I’m open anytime this Thursday, if there is a particular time that will work best for you let me know.

Should I notify the operations team we need to reschedule, as well?

Correction:

I’m sorry to hear you are not feeling well. Let’s reschedule our meeting. I’m open anytime this Thursday. If there is a particular time that will work best for you let me know. (There should be a full stop – a period – after the word “Thursday,” indicating two separate sentences.)

Should I notify the operations team we need to reschedule, as well?

Explanation:

Fused sentences and comma splices were, by far, the most common business writing grammar we saw in client writing last year. This particular error is increasing. A fused sentence, also called a comma splice error, incorrectly merges independent clauses with a comma.

Solution:

Do not merge two independent clauses together with only a comma. Each thought, “I’m open any time Thursday.” and “If there is a particular time…” should be its own sentence. Other typical examples of incorrectly fused sentences/comma splices are:

• Thanks for your advice, it’s exactly what I needed.
• These proofs are great, thanks for sending them.
• I will see you on Tuesday, I’m looking forward to our meeting.

Correct Your Business Grammar Challenges in this webinar.