Is 'Nicole was feeling tired' a comma splice or not?

Is there a comma problem here? A little puzzle from a PACT-style writing item

You’ve probably read a sentence that sounds perfectly fine in everyday life, then a test question makes you pause. In those moments, the simplest lines can feel deceptively tricky. Take this example, a tidy little sentence many of us would skim right over: “Nicole was feeling tired.” Now, the multiple-choice set around it asks this:

A. Incorrect use of semicolon

B. Comma splice issue

C. Punctuation error

D. No error

If you’re scanning for a trap, you’re not alone. It’s too easy to slip into thinking that something must be wrong because the options include “comma splice” or “semicolon.” Let’s unpack what’s actually happening here and why, in this case, there isn’t a punctuation error at all.

Two clauses, one calm sentence

First, let’s set the stage with a quick grammar check. A comma splice happens when you hitch two independent clauses with just a comma—no coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) to hold them together. Two independent clauses are two complete thoughts that could stand as sentences on their own. When you join them with a comma alone, you get a comma splice.

Here’s a simple illustration of the idea:

• Two independent clauses joined by a comma alone:

“Nicole was tired, she stayed home.”

• The fix:

“Nicole was tired, and she stayed home.” or

“Nicole was tired; she stayed home.” or

“Nicole was tired. She stayed home.”

Now look at our sentence: “Nicole was feeling tired.” That line contains one subject, one verb phrase, and a clear predicate. It’s a single independent clause. There isn’t a second independent clause to join, there’s no comma in need of a remedy, and there’s no extra thought trying to cling to it with punctuation. In plain terms: one complete thought, no comma needed beyond standard punctuation at the end if the sentence continues.

So why would a test item even offer “B. Comma splice issue” as a choice? Because test writers like to present plausible-sounding distractors. The phrase “comma splice” points to a familiar error, and it makes you slow down to check whether two ideas are truly independent. The trap is real: when you rush, you might assume something is wrong without verifying the sentence’s structure.

Why “No error” is the right call here

Think of it as a quick check: does the sentence have two independent parts? If not, there isn’t a comma splice. Does it have an obvious semicolon? Not here. Is there some vague punctuation error? Not really—the sentence ends properly or can stand alone as a complete thought. Because all the hallmarks of an error aren’t present, the most accurate choice is D: No error.

This is almost soothing once you see it, because the mind loves a neat, simple clause. The moment you try to retrofit two ideas into that one line, or you imagine a missing conjunction where there isn’t even a second clause to connect, the temptation to call it erroneous grows. The reality, though, is that healthy sentences don’t require a fix just for the sake of fixin’ it.

A quick map of the options—and why they don’t fit

Let me explain each choice in a way that helps you quickly evaluate similar items in the wild.

• A. Incorrect use of semicolon

There’s no semicolon in the sentence, so this can’t be right. If you do see a semicolon somewhere else in a longer version of the line, that would invite a different question, but not this one.

• B. Comma splice issue

A comma splice would need two independent clauses joined only by a comma. “Nicole was feeling tired” is one clause. If you added something like “Nicole was feeling tired, she went to bed,” you’d have a comma splice unless you add a conjunction (and, so, but) or swap the comma for a semicolon or period. Since there’s no second clause to link, this option isn’t correct for the sentence as given.

• C. Punctuation error

This is too vague. “Punctuation error” suggests there’s a mistake somewhere, but the sentence’s punctuation isn’t problematic in its current form. It ends with a period if it’s a standalone sentence, or it can be part of a larger structure with proper punctuation around it. The line isn’t inherently incorrect.

• D. No error

If you map out the sentence’s structure and confirm there’s only one independent clause, then there’s nothing to fix. This choice aligns with the grammar of the line.

Grammatical basics you can carry with you

Even when you’re not staring at a test question, this kind of check is useful in everyday writing. A sharp eye for sentence structure makes your communication cleaner and more credible. Here are a few practical anchors:

• Independent clause: A complete thought with a subject and a verb. “Nicole was feeling tired” fits this pattern.

• Joining two independent clauses: Use a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) with a comma, or use a semicolon, or simply use a period.

• Comma splices and run-on sentences: If you see two complete thoughts joined only by a comma, that’s a red flag. You’ll want either a conjunction, a semicolon, or a period.

• Subordinate clauses and participles: If one part doesn’t stand alone, like “Feeling tired, Nicole rested,” the phrase is fine as a single sentence and doesn’t form a comma splice. It’s a different construction, often called a participial phrase, that modifies the main clause.

A gentle digression that still circles back

Speaking of everyday writing, have you noticed how often we slip into short, punchy sentences in emails or social posts? Sometimes that’s exactly the tone we want—clear, direct, easy to skim. Other times, a longer sentence with nuanced punctuation mirrors real thought more closely. The knack is balancing rhythm and clarity. The same goes for test-style questions: rhythm helps you read more like a human, not a machine, and clarity keeps you from overthinking a routine sentence.

The PACT writing assessment in real life uses sentences like this as tiny checkpoints

Let me explain with a broader view. In any formal-writing evaluation, your ability to parse a sentence’s anatomy matters as much as your ability to craft it. It’s not about memorizing rules blindly; it’s about recognizing how language breathes in context. A single line like “Nicole was feeling tired” can be a quiet reminder that not every punctuation mark signals trouble. Sometimes, the line is doing exactly what it’s meant to do: convey a straightforward idea with a calm cadence.

If you’re ever uncertain, a simple, human approach helps

• Read the sentence out loud. Does it feel complete? If yes, you probably don’t have a problem.

• Check how many independent thoughts are present. If there’s only one, you don’t have a comma splice.

• Scan for a lingering comma with no conjunction after it between two independent ideas. If you spot that pattern, you’ve found a real splice.

• Consider whether the sentence stands alone or relies on another clause to make sense. If it stands alone, it’s likely fine.

A few more practical examples to anchor the idea

• Correct and simple:

• “Nicole was feeling tired.” (one independent clause)

• Correct with a conjunction:

• “Nicole was feeling tired, and she took a nap.” (two independent clauses joined by a conjunction)

• Incorrect splice:

• “Nicole was tired, she rested.” (two independent clauses joined only by a comma)

• Correct with a semicolon:

• “Nicole was tired; she rested.”

These tiny micro-examples are like tiny punctuation workouts you can do in your head while you read.

Cultivating a writing habit that stays grounded

If this kind of sentence-checking feels almost like a mental puzzle, you’re not alone. The beauty of the English language is its flexibility, but that same flexibility can trip you up when you’re not paying attention to the mechanics. A steady habit of quick checks—subject, verb, clause count, and how clauses are joined—will make you faster and more confident in any setting.

A short reflection to close

The line “Nicole was feeling tired” is a neat, tidy example of a single, clear thought. It doesn’t misbehave; it doesn’t spin into two ideas; it simply exists as a straightforward statement. In the testing world, that’s a rare gift: a sentence that tells you exactly what it means, without pretending to be something more complicated. And that simplicity is what we should celebrate, especially when language is being tested not for flair, but for clarity.

If you had to summarize the takeaway in one line, it would be this: when you see a question about comma splices, check whether there are two independent clauses. If there aren’t, you’re likely looking at no error. When there are two, you’ll want to decide whether a comma with a conjunction, a semicolon, or a period is the right glue.

A final nudge for clarity lovers

Curiosity is your ally here. Ask yourself not just what the sentence says, but how it behaves. Does it invite a second idea to march along with a simple punctuation mark? If the answer is no, you’ve likely found the correct choice—and you’ve learned something practical about how meaning travels through punctuation.

So the next time you encounter a sentence that seems too easy to trip over, pause a moment. Listen to the rhythm, map the clauses, and let the punctuation tell you what it’s really doing. You’ll not only crack the question more smoothly, you’ll write with the same quiet confidence in your own sentences. And isn’t that what good writing is all about—being understood the moment you open your mouth (or your keyboard) and say what you mean?