What is a comma splice?

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses—complete sentences that can stand alone—are incorrectly joined by only a comma. This is a grammatical error because a comma alone is not strong enough to connect full sentences; a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon should typically be used instead.

For instance, in the sentence "I went to the store, I bought some milk," the two complete thoughts are improperly linked by a comma without a conjunction. To correct this, one could use a conjunction (e.g., "I went to the store because I bought some milk") or a semicolon (e.g., "I went to the store; I bought some milk"). Understanding this concept is crucial for writing clarity and coherence, ensuring that sentences convey complete ideas effectively.